What do I need to know to ensure good adherence?

The first step is to understand how your current (or future) medications need to be taken. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist the following:

	How many pills of each drug am I supposed to take at a time? Most people with HIV now take fewer pills than was necessary when combination therapy first became available. In fact, there's one complete treatment regimen that has three different drugs in a single pill. Other common drug regimens will require you to take between two and five capsules or tablets with every dose, and pill count will be important to consider if you have a hard time swallowing pills.
	How many times a day am I supposed to take each drug, and when do I take them? None of the most commonly used HIV drugs need to be taken more than twice a day. Several HIV medications are always taken once a day; others are always taken twice a day. Some drugs can be taken either once a day or twice a day, depending on whether or not you've used other HIV medications in the past (as well as personal preference).
	Should I take my pills on an empty stomach, or should I take them with food? Some HIV drugs have food requirements, meaning that they must be taken either with or without food if they are to be absorbed properly. Similarly, the presence of food in the stomach when HIV medications are taken can either lessen or worsen side effects. Fortunately, most HIV drugs can be taken either with or without food—but be sure you are aware of, and follow, any specific food requirements your drugs may have.
	Can I take my drugs with other medications I'm taking? And what about supplements, herbs and over-the-counter medications? Many HIV drugs—and medications used for other diseases, along with various complementary therapies and nutritional supplements—can interact with each other in the body. Some drugs can cause blood levels of other drugs to decrease or increase when they are used at the same time (even if they are dosed hours, or even days, apart). This can prevent medications from working effectively or increase the risk of side effects. There is a much lower risk of dangerous drug interactions when your doctor and your pharmacist know which prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements and herbs you're taking.
	What should I do if I forget or miss a dose? It's only human to forget or miss a dose of your medication every now and then. The advice from your health care provider or pharmacist might be to take it, as soon as possible, if it's closer to the time of your missed dose than your next dose. For example, if you're on a once-daily regimen and it's been less than 12 hours since your missed dose, take it immediately. If it has been more than 12 hours since your missed dose, wait until your next scheduled dose. If you find yourself repeatedly missing or forgetting doses, figuring out why this is happening—and what you can do about it—is essential.

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