status) and started PEP
first combivir tablet 60h post infection
stocrin tablet 63h post infection
discontinued treatment for 50h (missed 4 combivir 2 stocrin)
restarted treatment 50 h later for combivir and 53h for stocrin
taking the tablet every 12h for combivir and 24h for stocrin for the last 4 days
my question is there any point going through the treatment?
Since half life of stocrin is around 50-60h and for combivir around 12&3 ?
It is very important to take these drugs strictly as indicated. Firstly, the effectiveness of the PEP treatment in preventing infection is reduced if you don't take the drugs as indicated. Furthermore, if you are unlucky and end up becoming infected, there's a greater risk of the HIV
being resistant to drug treatments if you took the PEP irregularly (due to the high variability in blood concentration, which is what creates resistance - if the half-life of combivir is 12 hours, then missing 50 hours rseults in the blood concentration dropping 93%!).
So you need to decide whether you want to do PEP or not. If you do, then take every single pill from now at the time indicated by your doctor. If you can't follow that, you are probably doing more harm than good. Since I suppose you got PEP because you had a real risk, as determined by a qualified doctor, I would suggest you keep taking PEP. But be sure to take them as indicated!
Thank you kenzorio. The doctor said there are not enough data available to properly answer the question and recommanded to keep as well. I'm just concerned about side effects of combivir. Another question tho, once side effects are experienced do they get worst or they stabilize?
About lactic