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Summary

  • Thanks to antiretroviral treatment, many people with HIV now have a normal life expectancy.
  • You’ll get the most benefit from your treatment if you take all or nearly all your doses at the right time and in the right way. This is often called adherence.
  • Missing doses or not taking doses correctly can lead to your HIV becoming drug resistant. This will cause your treatment to fail and possibly limit the drugs you can take in the future.
  • Everyone taking HIV treatment should be offered support and advice with adherence.
  • You might find adherence easier to manage if you feel ready to start treatment, and if your treatments fit in with your lifestyle.
  • Simple techniques, such as keeping a diary, using a pill box, or setting an alarm, might help you to take your treatment.
  • Some people contract a strain of HIV which is already drug resistant.
  • Resistance tests will be used to help choose the best drug combination for you.

Taking your HIV treatment

Published March 2014

Last reviewed March 2014

Next review March 2017

Contact NAM to find out more about the scientific research and information used to produce this booklet.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.