Question
Missing TLD once or twice a month…
16 February 2023. Related: Adherence, All topics.
My girlfriend has been missing her TLD (Acriptega) dose every month ‘once or thrice’ due to forgetfulness. She’s been undetectable since 2017. Is there any danger as her last viral load test being on may 2022 was 30 copies?
Answer
Hi, how are you both doing?
When she misses her dose is it for a few days at a time or is it just for the day?
Occasionally missing a dose is not going to effect her treatment. TLD has a long half life meaning that it remains in the body longer than 24 hours. This can cover for occasionally missing a dose of treatment. Though it is not something to be done frequently.
How long has she been doing this? It is a good sign that she still has a suppressed viral load. This shows that her medication is still working.
Missing doses does risk resistance to treatment. This is rare and is more likely with longer breaks in treatment, however missing doses is an avoidable way to ensure resistance does not happen.
Has your girlfriend tried anyways to help her remember to take her treatment? A dossett box is a box that contains all the medication for the week. Or setting an alarm specific for her treatment?
Josh.
Hi Bobby, glad to hear that the alarm is working. While your partner is on treatment her viral load will be suppressed. As she is undetectable and now taking her medication well there is no risk of transmission. As her viral load is below 200 she cannot pass on HIV. You do not need to be using a condom and it will be safe to have a baby. Your partner being unable to pass on HIV is explained by U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Shes now using an alarm and its working..since shes positive and am neg can there be a chance i might contract hiv even in future since we are having unprotected sex and also planning to have a baby together in the future is it safe.
Hi Bobby, it is good to hear that her viral load has remained suppressed. As she doesn’t miss her doses regularly the risk of treatment failure is very low. Though missing will always increase the chance of this happening. Has she tried anything to help her remember to take them daily?
She’s been undetectable since 2017 with viral load ranging between 50 and below.. she doesn’t miss deliberately but she tries to make sure she doesn’t forget her doses..in a full yeah she misses a total of around 15days of which i don’t if its dengerous to he viral load to go high..