Staying On Track
What is adherence?
Adherence is following your doctor's instructions regarding your treatment.
It's your willingness to begin a treatment regimen and taking your medications exactly as you should -- at the same time each day, the correct number of times per day, and either on an empty or stomach or not.
Why adhere?
Anti-HIV medications is essential to decrease your viral load and prevent resistance.
When your body doesn't get a steady supply of your prescribed drug, it's likely to become resistant to the drug. This means your drugs might fighting your HIV.
Adherence is needed to slow down the reproduction of the virus and keeping you alive and healthy.
How best to adhere.
Living with HIV and regular care is possible.
With many medications and different dosing instructions, adherence can be challenging. Side effects of drugs and trying to live your regular life can make adherence difficult.
The first step to proper adherence is talking with your health care provider. Talk to your doctor about your life – your schedule, side effects, general physical and mental health, and your overall commitment to beginning treatment.
You may need to establish a system of reminders. Try these:
- notes beside your bed or fridge,
- a pill box separated by days of the week,
- alarms, or
- a good friend who's supporting you.
Adherence Testimonial -
"I was told at the beginning that it was very important to adhere to my HIV med regimen precisely. When I first started on it, my daughter would call me everyday at med time to help remind me. After awhile it just became second nature. After 4 years of this I never miss by more than a half hour at most. By my counts and the fact that I am still on my first regimen I know that adherence has made a major difference to my health (my HIV doc confirms this) "On time, every time", is my motto."Adherence Links
What is Treatment Adherence?
Adhering to Your Regimen
Create a Reminder Schedule!
HIV Drug Resistance