How to Live Healthfully With HIV Drugs

Adhering to your drug regimen can be demanding, but it is crucial to your well-being. With a few tricks and lots of support, you can stick to your plan and still make the most of your life. These guidelines follow the recommendations of Project Inform.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Medication diary
• Doctor

1. Educate yourself. Find out how your drugs work and why they are necessary for your health.
2. Know what to expect. Ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible side effects; inform yourself of the dangers of missing doses.
3. Use simple events in your daily routine, such as brushing your teeth or watching a favorite TV show as cues to take your medication. In other words, make your drug regimen a habit.
4. Keep a medication diary to keep track of dosages.
5. Take medication with food and water, unless directed otherwise by your pharmacist or physician.
6. Plan any changes in routine well in advance. Vacations, business trips, weekends or holidays will alter your schedule, but if you are prepared, you can still adhere to your regimen.
7. Take time out to do the things that you enjoy most in life. Stress and depression can divert you from your routine.
8. Talk to your doctor. Ask questions, discuss any difficulties, complain about side effects. He or she can also help you tailor a drug regimen to your lifestyle.
9. Enlist the support of your family and friends and fellow patients.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your physician whether it is possible to take combinations of anti-retroviral drugs that have similar dosing schedules to make it easier on yourself.
• If a drug does not agree with you after you attempt to follow the regimen, notify your doctor. He or she can work with you to alter that regimen if it produces intolerable side effects.
• Give yourself an occasional reward to keep yourself motivated. Go shopping, take a day off of work, visit a spa. You deserve it.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.