Guides › Introduction to combination therapy

Can I take a break in my treatment?

Taking a break in treatment is not usally recommended unless there is a medical reason to do this.

Staying on treatment is better for your long term health. It keeps your CD4 count high and stops HIV from doing more damage.

Treatment protects against damage that HIV may do to your heart, liver, kidneys and other organs and lowers the risk of some cancers. This is compared to either not being on treatment or starting and stopping treatment.

Stopping treatment is not generally recommended.
Your viral load can increase again very within weeks. Each interruption has a risk of developing drug resistance.
Your CD4 count is likely to drop and it will be more difficult to recover when you restart treatment.

If you really want to take a break it is essential you talk to your doctor first. If this is because side effects are too difficult you could change to a combination that is easier to manage.

April 2012

Decisions relating to your treatment should always be taken in consultation with your doctor. Information in this guide is intended to support those discussions.

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