HIV: Taking antiretroviral medicines
Introduction
Taking antiretroviral drugs for HIV will not cure your infection. However, it may allow you to remain healthy for a long time.
Your willingness and ability to follow your antiretroviral therapy schedule exactly as prescribed is essential for successful treatment of your HIV infection. Not following your prescribed HIV therapy may cause treatment failures, such as:
- Drug resistance.
- Higher viral loads.
- Disease progression.
In the past a person had to take many pills several times a day, which was difficult for some people. However, over the past few years this routine has become much simpler and many people take their medicine only once or twice a day. With the right knowledge and tools, you can successfully take your medicine as prescribed.
What is antiretroviral therapy?
Why is it important to take antiretroviral therapy drugs exactly as prescribed?
How can I take my antiretroviral therapy drugs as prescribed?
Where to go from here
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: May 8, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine | |
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