The advent of HAART therapy has given those infected with HIV a new lease on life. But the benefits of these therapies do not come without a price. The biggest obstacle to successful treatment is medication adherence. The method by which antiretroviral medications suppress the HIV virus necessitates a very strict regimen of medication. Drugs must be taken exactly as prescribed without missing doses if they are to work to their full potential. Sounds easy enough, right? Unfortunately, the truth is it isn't always that easy. Between medication side effects, lack of energy, and concerns about confidentiality, medication adherence is very difficult. To help with medication adherence, here are a few medication adherence tips that will make taking your medicines a bit easier.

HIV Medication Fact Sheets

One of the biggest issues surrounding medication adherence is that it's sometimes difficult to fit medications into an already hectic schedule. Some of these tips may help.

• To save time, try setting up meds ahead of time using pill boxes. These are available from your health care provider free of charge.
• Set the meds up a week ahead of time, saving time each day.
• Take the day's box with you to work or when you are out.
• Use an alarm on a watch or a timer to tell you when its time for your meds.
• If confidentiality is an issue, excuse yourself to the restroom and take your medicines there.
• Leave notes around the house where you will be sure to see them; the refrigerator, next to the TV, and the bathroom mirror.
• Do trial runs before beginning therapy. Use jelly beans to represent your medications and take them as if they were real antivirals. This will assist you in identifying potential problems in your medication schedule before taking the real thing.

Another complaint is that medication side effects make it difficult to take meds on time. If this is a problem, consult your health care provider who can prescribe meds for nausea or adjust your medications to minimize the side effects.

Certain meds need to be taken with food. But this can cause a problem, especially at work. To combat this problem, keep snacks and bottled water in your car and at work. Plan your meals ahead of time to coincide with your medications and to minimize any disruption in your work day.

Unfortunately, some turn to recreational drugs or alcohol to help cope with the daily stress of living with HIV. Studies show that as recreation drug use and alcohol use increases, adherence to HAART decreases. Again, if substance abuse is a problem, talk to your health care provider who can assist in getting you into substance abuse treatment programs. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is the first step in the healing process.

While these suggestions will help, adherence is something that must be dealt with on a daily basis. If you find you are unable to adhere to prescribed regimens, let your doctor know. Delaying treatment until one is absolutely positive they are mentally prepared to start drug therapy is better than starting and not being able to adhere. Not adhering to therapy can cause harmful resistance that will make treatment very difficult in the future. Being ready to take meds is the key to successful therapy.