copegus

[bolger]

is it important to take meds every 12 hours or is it cumulative?
can you take it at 10am (if that's when you get up) and then again 7-8 hrs later if you need too for whatever reason?

[hph5477]

I take mine about 8:00am and 6:00pm.  Asked my doc about this on my last visit b/c I forgot my 8:00am dose til about 4:00pm, then took the others about 10:00pm.  She said that was fine, that I could even take it only once per day if I wanted but it seemed to be easier on the stomach if the dose was split.

[audreywald]

it is ok. In fact the riba should not be taken too late at nite, may interfere with sleep. With dinner is what I was recommended.

[cuteus]

I take it when I remember during the day, the first few months I could not remember taking it , so I either double it unknowingly or missed it completely.
   Amazingly, I can take it before bed and does not interfere with MY sleep.  Others have to take it in the afternoon.  Our bodies are so unique in its individual responses!

[bolger]

? is
does anyone know if this will affect it's effectiveness?

[cuteus]

I never asked my practice, but someone here mentioned that their doctor had said it did not need to be a steady serum level to be effective, like with antibiotics.  as long as you got your full dose daily, it was ok.

[LvdByGod]

you should take them on time each day (i had to buy a pill box alarm) but, i was told as long as i take it all within that 24 hour period i would be fine...the problem comes if we don't have a regular time it's easy to forget and get too close to the next days doseing which would be a problem for getting too much of the meds one day and not enough the day before.  

common sence says split them evenly thru the day and keep up the schedual to the best of your ability...this will ensure the most effective tx.

if it's any comfort to you, i have been a real fog head and have accidently skipped some doses and i have just achieved a clearance(less than 615 iu),at week 24. but, then again i'm type 3 and everyone is different.

[bolger]

not worried about missing a dose.
what on my mind is if i take at 11 am then need to take again at 6pm that's 17hrs till the next dose the next day.
is 7 hrs between taking meds cutting it too close? leaving too big a gap before the next dose the next day?

[LvdByGod]

i think you will be fine with that bolger... of course you really should check that with your dr on monday. but, i've taken them like that several times if it's any comfort to you...

[DonL]

I started out 7 AM and 7 PM. Since the evening doses seem to wake me up, I've started taking them 7 AM and 4 PM. I haven't been especially regular about maintaining 12 hours separation and did miss one evening's dose (I forgot to take it!). For me, taking the evening dose earlier seems to be helping me sleep thru the night, tho 5 hours after I take the evening dose, I do get speedy and feel a little wierd. Not the morning dose, tho. Go figure.

My PA said that 80% compliance with treatment was OK, so I figure I'm doing fine.

[MajNeni]

How long have you been on the ride?  After a couple of months, you're saturated enough with riba so little - I mean little! - fluctuations don't matter much.  Splitting the day's dose evenly is to make it easier on your system, and easier to remember (=comply).  Taking two days' worth too close can give you a special kind of side trip for a couple of days... Ask Indy...  Maj Neni

[britgirl]

I was told the two doses should be at least 8 hours apart. preferably 12.

[Indiana]

The whole point of splitting the doses is to maintain a "Level" in your bloodstream. By splitting the doses you avoid the BIG spikes and low levels as it processes out. Since it is water soluble and we drink TONS of water it processes out pretty quickly as we go through the day.
After we have been on it for awhile it does accumulate to some degree but there is still a constant level that we try to maintain.
That is why we also like to take it with food. Taking it with food levels off the spikes and keeps it in our system longer. If you ever take it with food then ALWAYS take it with food.
NEVER ......NEVER  try to "make up" a missed dose. I did that once.....OMG! The sides were UNBELIEVEABLE! I was in the worst Fog EVER for 3-4 days! I ended up skipping a dose on purpose just to get back to "normal". NEVER take too much! Better to miss one than to do THAT.
I would not get much closer than 7-8 hours apart. Since you are sleeping(hopefully) sometime after the evening dose then a bit of extra time on that end shouldn't hurt. As long as you maintain a constant "schedule" you should be fine.
It's ALL about the "Level".......

[Firefghtr311]

I work crazy hours, I take my meds different times almost everyday, even skipped doses. I'm still undetectable after 7 months of tx. If that makes you fill any better.