The importance of adherence

Adherence is the ability of a patient to consistently follow his or her medication schedule and take those medications exactly as directed (ie, with or without food, at certain times of the day, or a certain number of pills). The medication schedule set up by a healthcare provider is designed to keep the right levels of medication in the bloodstream of a person with HIV. Studies have shown that strictly following an HIV medication schedule can increase survival. Not following this schedule or the instructions set by a healthcare provider can result in serious problems, including viral resistance. Taking each and every dose exactly as directed is the best way to ensure treatment success.

Obstacles to adherence

Everyday life may present challenges to people with HIV trying to stick to their medication schedule. Here are just a few of them:

• Side effects—many anti-HIV medications can cause a variety of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Access to medication—anti-HIV medications are expensive, and the cost of these drugs can make it difficult to fill a prescription. There are a number of programs that can help with the cost of HIV medications, including:
• Public-assistance programs
• Private insurance
• Patient-assistance programs
• Depression—being HIV+ can have a negative impact on the way someone feels emotionally. There are a number of support groups and counselors that can help. Contact your local AIDS Service Organization (ASO) for more information
• Forgetfulness—sometimes, it can be easy to forget to take medication. Trying to make taking medication a part of a daily routine, like right after brushing teeth, can help
• Lifestyle choices—the use of recreational drugs and alcohol can result in an unstructured lifestyle that makes taking medications according to a set schedule more difficult. Support groups are available that can help patients cope with addiction issues. A local AIDS Service Organization (ASO) may be able to provide more information

For more detailed information about medication adherence, be sure to visit APositiveLife.com.