Starting medications for HIV can be a lifestyle change. Antiretrovirals are medications used to slow the progression of HIV. There are different classes of drugs that work to stop the virus in different stages of its life cycle. A doctor will decide whether treatment is appropriate depending on a person's CD4 count, viral load and readiness to begin treatment.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor about your options for medications. There are many different HIV medications, each with different side effects or instructions. It is important for patients with HIV to let the doctor know which side effects he can tolerate and which would not be acceptable. In addition, lifestyle habits such as mealtimes and sleep patterns should be discussed with the doctor. It is important for a patient and doctor to work together to come up with a medication routine that fits the patient's lifestyle with side effects the patient can tolerate.
Step 2
Understand that taking antiretroviral therapy is a commitment that is life-changing. One should be mentally prepared and ready to start taking the medications without skipping doses.
Step 3
Speak to your doctor about the side effects to expect and come up with a plan on how you will deal with them.
Step 4
Bring up any compliance issues because of side effects, scheduling or other reasons with the doctor at once. Adherence to HIV medications is important, since-non adherence can lead to a decreased susceptibility to certain medication combinations.
Step 5
Prepare for proper storage of medications. For example, some medications need to be refrigerated.
Step 6
Consider using a medication box, an alarm or other reminder devices for more complex schedules. Medications that are able to be prepoured on a weekly basis can go into a medication box that has different compartments for the different times of the day. There are calendars, watch alarms and other reminder devices that might help to remind you to take your medications.
Step 7
Find a support network. This may include friends, family, an HIV caseworker or a support group. Discuss with the support system that you will be starting medications and let them know what they can do to help. Having persons who care involved can help to motivate you to be compliant with your medications.
Step 8
Visit your doctor regularly. Find out how often the doctor wants to measure the viral load of HIV in the body. This is a measurement that will tell the doctor whether the medication regimen is working. Other tests may also be necessary to determine whether your medication regimen is appropriate for your condition.
