Adherence – and why it is so important

What is adherence?

Adherence is a word to describe taking your drugs exactly as prescribed. This includes taking them at the right time. It also includes following any special diet restrictions.

Good adherence is important to make sure that all the drugs in your combination are present at high enough levels to keep HIV under control, all of the time.

It is important that you develop a routine or daily schedule. You may need some support to get used to the changes treatment makes in your life. Adherence can be very difficult.

This is the most important thing you have to think about when you start taking a new combination.

Start treatment when you can give yourself the extra time and space you may need to adjust.

During the first few weeks, nothing else should take priority over getting your treatment right.

Many treatment centres now have an adherence clinic or an adherence nurse.

How much is enough?

Taking medication exactly on time is very important. However, there is usually a window period of about an hour that is still okay. Some drugs, and some people, have a wider window period than others.

Because of this variation, it is better to aim for the same time each day.

Diet restrictions are very important. Ignoring these can be like only taking half a dose. You will not absorb enough of the drug for it to work properly. Resistance is then more likely to occur.

Exactly how close to perfect adherence do you have to get?

Unfortunately, the answer is almost 100%...

Even missing one or two doses a week, especially when first starting treatment, can have a big impact on a successful result.

Be strict with yourself in assessing how adherent you are.
If it's not looking so good, you need more support. It is available but you will need to ask.
Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist!

This is the web edition of the i-Base guide Introduction to combination therapy. This guide is available in UK clinics. You can order free printed copies or download a PDF version (513 Kb). Translations. Authors and credits. Glossary. Full section index.

Decisions relating to your treatment should always be taken in consultation with your doctor. Information in this guide is intended to support those discussions.