Tips to help adherence

Adherence can be tricky. Especially when you have many things to think about the time can go really quickly.

It helps to have a plan – and to first find out about what is involved

• Start with getting all the information you need.
  • How many pills do you need each day?
  • How often do you need to take them?
  • How exact do you have to be with timing?
  • Are there food or storage restrictions?
  • Are there easier choices?
• Use a weekly pill box.

  Then you can see if you miss a dose. If your clinic does not provide one, most chemists sell them for about £2. i-Base can sometimes provide these free – call the phoneline for details.

• Take extra HIV drugs if you go away for a few days.
• Keep a small emergency suppies. For example: in your car, at work or at a friend’s.
• Ask friends to help you remember difficult dose times like when you go out at night.
• Use the alarm on your mobile phone or watch or computer for all doses. Then take your drugs when it beeps! Perhaps set the alarm just after the right time, so it is a reminder and not something you rely on.
• Link your HIV drugs to another daily routine, such as brushing your teeth.
• An online calendar service, like Google, can remind you every day. Some online calendars, including Google, can sms you at the same time every day.
• Ask other people on ART what they do. How well are they managing?
• Most HIV clinics can arrange for you to talk to someone who is already taking the same ART if you think that would help.
• Contact your hospital or clinic if side effects are causing problems. Staff there can help and discuss switching treatment if necessary.