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Adherence
The success of your anti-HIV drugs requires an unusually high level of dedication from you. Adherence is the term used to describe taking your HIV drugs exactly as prescribed, with no missed or late doses, and eating the correct type of food at the right time in relation to your drugs if that's required. Missing even a few doses can cause your drugs to fail - adherence levels of over 90-95% are what's needed for you to get the best response. This means missing no more than once dose a month if you are taking once daily therapy, or two doses a month if you are taking your anti-HIV drugs twice a day.
Adherence is more likely when you have taken part in decisions about your treatment and are committed to taking it. Adherence support should be part of the routine care you receive from your clinic. The following issues are important elements within effective adherence and should be considered periodically as part of your HIV care, and whenever you start a new HIV drug combination:
- Your motivation to start and continue with your treatment.
- Your understanding of adherence and drug resistance.
- The impact of treatment on your lifestyle and well-being.
- Your mental health.
- Risk of side-effects, and their management.
- The risk and benefits of treatment
- That you have the information you need to be able to take your treatments, including information in written form.
For more information, see the booklet Adherence in this series.