HIV treatment can mean a longer and healthier life. You’ll get the most benefit from your treatment if you take it properly. This is often described as ‘adherence’. If you don’t take HIV treatment properly, then your HIV may become resistant to the drugs you are taking and possibly other, similar drugs.

The first part of this booklet is about adherence, and includes tips on how you can boost your ability to take treatment properly. In the second part of the booklet, the issue of resistance is looked at in more detail.

This booklet is not intended to replace discussion with your doctor. But it should provide you with a better understanding of taking HIV treatment and drug resistance and can be a starting point for discussions about these issues.

acknowledgements

Written by Michael Carter
First edition, 2009
Due for review 2011

NAM is grateful to the funders of this booklet series:

Department of Health
NHS Pan-London HIV Prevention Programme

Thanks for the assistance of:

Prof. Janet Darbyshire
Medical Research Council, Clinical Trials Unit, London

Dr Julie Fox
King’s College Hospital, London

Prof. Frances Gotch
Department of Immunology, Imperial College

Rob James

This booklet replaces Adherence and HIV Drug Resistance.