Many advances have been made in the treatment for HIV which can help to delay the progression to AIDS, a potentially deadly condition. Successful treatment depends on medication adherence, or taking medications exactly as they are prescribed, considering dose and schedule. Treatment regimens for HIV can be complicated and difficult, though, and certain factors can affect HIV medication adherence.
Drug Regimen
When considering an appropriate treatment for someone with HIV, it is important that the patient affected speak to their doctor about their schedule and lifestyle. Some medications have side effects that need to be dealt with, while others need to be taken several times a day. Some need to be taken on an empty stomach or with food, while others may need to be refrigerated. Considering one's lifestyle, schedule and ability to understand and adhere to special instructions related to a particular drug regimen are ways to improve adherence.
Side Effects
Different medications have different side effects. Patients with HIV should discuss with their doctor what medication side effects they can tolerate and which ones they cannot. It is important to be informed about these side effects and their management, so that patients are less likely to stop medications. Communication between the patient and doctor about these issues and how to manage them are also very important.
Disclosure and Support
Barriers to medication adherence include whether the person affected has disclosed the diagnosis to people in their life. For example, if a patient has not disclosed to people at work that they are taking HIV medication, they may not feel comfortable taking these medications at work. A medication schedule should take into consideration disclosure issues so that the person with HIV feels comfortable taking the medications and is not tempted to miss a dose.
Support Network
Compliance with an HIV medication regimen can be difficult. Having a support network, whether it be family or friends, can help promote medication adherence.
Case workers, health care workers, and social workers are also available for persons with HIV and AIDS.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues
If a person with HIV has substance abuse or mental health problems, adherence to medications can be very difficult. It is important that he seeks help for these problems so that adherence can be maintained. If one misses doses of medication, it can cause resistance, which can end up creating more problems for the person affected in the future. Many resources are available for persons with HIV related to substance abuse and mental health.
