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Adherence is important

Adherence to your medication is the most important aspect of your treatment. For your medication to work properly, it must be taken at the same time every day. Now more than ever, it is important to adhere to your treatment, to ensure that your immune system is strong enough to fight off Coronavirus infection.

The importance of adherence

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If you are HIV-positive and on ART and you forget to take one pill or you skip a dose, you are at risk of the HIV becoming resistant to the medication. This could mean that your medication is no longer strong enough to control the HIV and your viral load will increase.

It is also important because if the drugs stop working you may need to change onto a new combination of ART. As there is a limited number of ARV combinations available, this may put your future treatment at risk.

There are lots of simple ways to make sure you remember to take your medication. Everyone is different, so look through this list and see which ones will work best for you.

  • Set an alarm clock to remind you.
  • Have a friend or family member remind you.
  • Use a pillbox – by separating your morning and evening dose, you can keep track of when you have taken your medication.
  • Link your medication to a daily routine. For example, always take your medication when you brush your teeth or when you have your morning tea.
  • Put your medication where you can see it easily.
  • Carry extra medication with you in case you are visiting friends or family.
  • Make sure that a child has two caregivers who know their medical requirements.
  • Join an adherence club, as other people can help you stick to your schedule.

I’m adhering to my medication, what else can I do?

adherence is important get checked go collect

Adherence is important

Adherence to your medication is the most important aspect of your treatment. For your medication to work properly, it must be taken at the same time every day. Now more than ever, it is important to adhere to your treatment, to ensure that your immune system is strong enough to fight off Coronavirus infection.

If you are HIV-positive and on ART and you forget to take one pill or you skip a dose, you are at risk of the HIV becoming resistant to the medication. This could mean that your medication is no longer strong enough to control the HIV and your viral load will increase.

It is also important because if the drugs stop working you may need to change onto a new combination of ART. As there is a limited number of ARV combinations available, this may put your future treatment at risk.

There are lots of simple ways to make sure you remember to take your medication. Everyone is different, so look through this list and see which ones will work best for you.

adherence is important get checked go collect
  • Set an alarm clock to remind you.
  • Have a friend or family member remind you.
  • Use a pillbox – by separating your morning and evening dose, you can keep track of when you have taken your medication.
  • Link your medication to a daily routine. For example, always take your medication when you brush your teeth or when you have your morning tea.
  • Put your medication where you can see it easily.
  • Carry extra medication with you in case you are visiting friends or family.
  • Make sure that a child has two caregivers who know their medical requirements.
  • Join an adherence club, as other people can help you stick to your schedule.

I’m adhering to my medication, what else can I do?

With support from the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the National Department of Health.

dept of health gov RSA Get Checked Go Collect Partners
PEPFAR Get Checked Go Collect Partners
Health Systems Trust Get Checked Go Collect Partners