| NRTI:
NtRTIs
NNRTIs
Protease Inhibitors
Helpful Medical Tips
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Disclaimer
The information contained on the CORE Center Web site
is not to be construed as medical recommendation, or
as professional advice. Neither the authors, Cook County
Bureau of Health Services, Cook County Hospital, the CORE
Center, its affiliates or agents, or any other party involved in the
preparation or publication of the works presented is responsible
for any errors or omissions in information provided on the CORE
Center Web site or any other results obtained from the use of
such information. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information
contained herein with other reliable sources and to direct any questions
concerning personal health care to licensed physicians or other appropriate
health care professionals.
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HELPFUL MEDICATION TIPS
Adherence to your medications means that you take your medications correctly without missing or skipping doses.
This is very important for the treatment of HIV because the more doses that are missed the more opportunities the virus has
to develop resistance to the medication. It is not known how many doses can be missed before the virus develops resistance,
but we want to limit missing doses to as few as possible. Once HIV has developed resistance, it can become difficult to
select medications that will be effective.
- Talk to your medical provider if you are having difficulty tolerating your medications or find yourself missing doses
frequently. Your medical provider may be able to suggest an appropriate alternative to the medication that is troublesome.
- Understand your regimen (clarify instructions). Are you clear about how many pills you should take of each medication?
When to take each medication? And how to take each medication (e.g. with food or on an empty stomach)?
- Does the regimen fit your lifestyle? Does your job, school, children,
family, etc. interfere with the time that you are suppose to take your medications each day?
If the answer is yes then this should be brought to your medical providers attention so that a
more appropriate dosing schedule can be planned.
- Pill Box - Pill boxes are an excellent tool to help organize your
medications and help determine what doses, if any, are missed.
- Plan Ahead - Get refills before you run out of medications. If you are going away make sure you have
enough medication so that you do no run out.
- Manage Side Effects - Do you know what potential side effects your medication may cause?
Ask your medical provider or pharmacist about potential side effects and how you may be able to
manage them. For instance, many side effects are temporary and subside after a few weeks when
treatment is initiated or changed. Some side effects can be effectively treated or minimized by
medications such as Tylenol or Imodium. Also, there are potential long-term side effects that you
should ask your medical provider about.
- Communication - Communication with health care professionals is very important. Your medical provider needs
to know about all the medications you take including medications you may purchase on you own such as; herbal products,
other supplements, and medications that another doctor may have prescribed for you. Finally, it is very important that
you discuss and inform your medical provider about stopping medications before you do it.
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