I am "re-posting" a reply I wrote to AtLast's blog regarding missing doses of our HAART drug combination therapy. Well admitedly I'm not a pharmacist or doctor; but I will share what I do know and most Infectious Disease Doctors won't tell you……..I have several friends that are pharmacists and also some pharmaceutical reps – that passed on this bit of information to me…. Every pill you take has what is known as a "half life" (Pharmacological definition – The period of time over which the concentration of a specified chemical or drug takes to fall to half its original concentration in the specified fluid or blood) The Half life of any pill is usually the minimum acceptable level of medicine needed in the blood stream to still effectively do its prescribed job. In our case on pills like Atripla and Sustiva and other HIV meds that are taken daily,… the half life of the pill is actually 36 hours minimum or more; and does vary according to each pill and I have not accounted for how long it takes to digest it. They make us take it daily so that our minimum amount of medicine in our bloodstream never drops below the "half -life" level….AND so that the HIV does NOT become resistant to the Medicine. I am in no way advocating anyone trying to self administer meds or change how they take them! However, if you miss a dose for a daily med and its less than 12 hours from when you were supposed to take it – don't flip out. Just take it and then go back to your normal schedule. The same math applies to 12hour pills having an 18 hour "half life (2X a day) etc. If it was me, ask your pharmacist what the "half -life" is for all of your meds so that you know this in the future. – B
-
What is the meaning….
Romeo, , HIV or Aids, Relationships, Therapy, 1
Admittedly it has been a long awhile since I have blogged on the tribe. I take pride in saying...
-
Mole Family
LoriB, , HIV or Aids, 0
A papa mole, a mama mole,And a baby mole all live together in a little mole hole.One day, papa...
-
July 11 Meditation
lisa218, , HIV or Aids, Anxiety, Child, Depression, Sexual Abuse, 0
I Read the News Today, Oh Boy Truth in journalism is usually found on the comic pages. -Frank DeGennaro...
-
Auto theft warning
LoriB, , HIV or Aids, 0
VIN NUMBER – WARNING Here is INFO worth the price ofyour car…. WHAT WILL the car thieves THINK OF...
-
When no one cares
Dayisdone, , Anxiety, HIV or Aids, Marriage & Family, Career, 1
I hate one say that they care about you and honestly didn’t really don’t. People they say all the...
-
Part of an article
MarcAnthony, , HIV or Aids, Anxiety, Questions, 0
Came across a beautiful article on an inspriational site I like on Facebook…this section touched me: I can...
-
Feelings will pass…..1, 2, 3 breath
nick1991, , Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, HIV or Aids, LGBT, Anger, Career, Sleep Disorders, 1
I know that I am just feeling a feeling and that it doesn’t own me. I know that I...
-
Just been going though stuff
ladydye, , HIV or Aids, Schizophrenia, 0
I just have been going though a hard time . i have from summer when my car was broke....
Thanks B. This is really a good posting.