Is starting ART easy?

Generally yes. But you need to know about a few important differences between ART and other medicines.

• It is important not to miss doses of HIV drugs.
  See: Adherence and why it is so important and What is resistance?.
• Although everyone worries about side effects, these are rarely serious.
  See: What is the risk of side effects?
• You have a choice of drugs and you can be involved in this choice.
  See: What is the best combination?
• Once started, it is better to carry on rather than stop and start.

In practice, most people find ART is much easier than they thought.

Last updated: 1 June 2022.