7 Tips for Taking Anti-HIV Drugs
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Chris Illiades, MD on June 6, 2021
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Stay on track.Most people need to take at least three different drugs from at least two different classes of HIV medications. Although this can be confusing, it's considered the best way to reduce the amount of the virus in your system—your “viral load”—and avoid developing resistance to any of the drugs. Use these tips to stay on track.
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Find a doctor you can work with.You’ll need to work closely with your doctor to find the best HIV treatment for you. Together, you will decide how many pills you'll need to take and how often to take them. Because you’ll need to see your doctor about every three months to make treatment adjustments, make sure you have someone you trust and with whom you can talk to easily.
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Don't skip any doses.No matter what treatment plan you and your doctor select, always make sure you take all of your pills. You may need to take several pills several times a day—all the pills at all the right times—to keep your viral load low. Skipping any of the doses allows the virus to build up resistance, and once that resistance starts, it’s usually permanent.
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Be prepared for the side effects of your drugs.Taking many drugs can lead to many possible side effects. Nausea, diarrhea, and headaches are common, especially at the start of treatment. Other side effects may be more bothersome. However, a common cause of resistance is stopping medication because of side effects. So, don't stop; if you have questions or concerns, call your doctor for advice.
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Let your HIV doctor know about other meds you take.Be sure to give your doctor a list of all drugs you take for other conditions, and don't start any new medications before checking with him or her. Medications for conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, infections, heart problems, insomnia, anxiety, and headaches may interfere with how HIV drugs work. This can happen even with over-the-counter and herbal remedies.
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Develop a dosage schedule you can stick to.Start by putting all your instructions down on paper, including how and when to take each drug. Create a schedule that fits with your daily activities. Be honest with your doctor about issues that could interfere with taking meds, such as recreational drug use, alcohol abuse, housing issues, or mental health problems.
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Use memory aids to stay on track.Try a pillbox with multiple compartments for each day of the week. Other ideas are to use a watch with an alarm or to program your smartphone for each time of day you need to take your pills. Keep all your medications, instructions, and phone numbers in one place. Refill your prescriptions at least one week before they run out.
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Adjust your plan as needed.If you’re having trouble sticking to your medication plan, let your doctor know right away. Side effects or life changes may make your current plan unrealistic, and your doctor can help you restructure it. You may need to change drugs, change doses, or add medications to control side effects.
HIV | 7 Tips for Taking HIV Drugs