Taking your HIV treatment properly is often called ‘adherence’. You will get the most benefit from your HIV treatment if you take it exactly as it is prescribed.
This means:
- Taking the correct dose.
- Taking your pills at the right time.
- Following any advice about food and drink.
- Checking for any interactions with other prescribed drugs, over-the-counter medicines, herbal or alternative treatments and recreational drugs.
Ideally, the aim should be to take all your doses in the right way.
Taking less than 95% of doses properly has been linked to increases in viral load and the development of resistance. What does 95% adherence mean?
- If you are taking your HIV treatment once a day, then 95% adherence means missing no more than one dose per month.
- If you are taking your HIV treatment twice a day, then 95% adherence means missing no more than three doses per month.
If you do forget a dose of your combination therapy, try not to panic or feel guilty - we’re all human!
As a very general rule, if you realise you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if you only realise when you’re going to take your next dose, don’t take a double dose.
A lot of support is available to help you increase the chances of taking your treatment in the right way. You can also use our My medication and reminders tool to set reminders to take your treatment everyday and use the My appointments tool to keep track of your GP or clinic appointments.
You are likely to find treatment easier to take if it fits in with your daily routine and the way you live your life. So it makes good sense to talk about this with your HIV doctor or another member of your healthcare team when you are deciding which combination of drugs to take.
