Using up options

‘Using up options’ is often given as a reason for not using the strongest combination when you change. However, this means that the regimen used is not as potent as it could be.

There are few reasons to save just one drug on its own if you really need a treatment now. Although you may be using your last unused drug, it may provide the extra power you need.

An exception to this would be if you know another new drug will definitely be available in the near future. In this situation, it may be better to wait for the new drug before changing treatment.

This is especially true if your viral load is stable (at any level). Starting all new drugs together will be stronger than starting them in a staggered way.