Being ready to start ARV medications means that you must be ready to stay on treatment as your HCP prescribes. This is called adherence (adhéer ns). For anti-HIV medicine to work, it is necessary to maintain a certain level of medicine in your body.

Not adhering to your meds can lead to resistance

If you skip doses or don't take your meds as directed by your doctor, there may not be enough medication in your body to stop HIV from replicating (rep˝ lˇi-k¯ at-ing). As a result, your viral load  may rise and your CD4 count may go down. It may also become easier for your virus to become resistant (ri-zis'-tənt) to the meds you are taking. That means that they no longer work as well or at all to fight the virus. Not only does this pose a risk to your health, it may limit future drug treatment options for you. The good thing about adhering to your meds is that it gives you a better chance of getting your viral load down to undetectable. To help the medications work best, you should do the following:

• Take every dose of every medication as prescribed (ie, with food, on an empty
  stomach, etc)
• Take your medications at the right time
• Don't start or stop medications unless directed by your HCP
• Renew your meds before they run out
• Notify your HCP before you begin taking any new medication, whether prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal or otherwise

There are many everyday challenges and situations that can make staying adherent to your HIV medications difficult. Use the list below to identify potential barriers that may prevent you from taking your medications.

• Your daily schedule and activities (family responsibilities, hectic lifestyle, work/school schedule, unstable housing)
• Affordabillity/access to meds and medical care
• Forgetfulness
• Depression or other mental health issues
• Fear of side effects (s¯id-ifékts)

Tell your HCP if you don't think you'll be able to take your meds as prescribed. Your doctor, a social worker, or someone from an HIV support group may be able to provide you with suggestions on how to overcome your individual barriers.

Please consult Full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING, Medication Guide, and Important Safety Information for VIRAMUNE.