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Adherence is about taking all your anti-HIV medications the way they're meant to be taken. It's the best and most important thing you can do to stay well and keep your medications working for longer. That's because it ensures your medications are present in your bloodstream at the right levels, controlling your viral load.
The Rules
- Get into a routine, so you take the right dose at the right times
- Don't skip doses
- Take it with food or without food – whichever is correct
- Make sure you aren't taking anything which could cause drug interactions. This includes other medications, street or recreational drugs and herbal remedies. Taking these can increase or decrease the level of your anti-HIV medication in your blood and could also worsen side effects. Recreational drugs or too much alcohol can also make you less likely to take your medicines properly.
- Aim to get it 100% right, 100% of the time but don't panic if you occasionally make a mistake
- If you forget a dose, take it as soon as possible, but if it's almost time for your next dose, don't take a double dose
- Always keep some medication with you if you're away from home, and take extra if you travel.
Adherence is not easy, but it's a major priority. Be honest with yourself – if you have a problem taking your medications as prescribed, ask your doctor, social worker, or HIV team to help you find a solution.
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