How long will ART work for?

So long as you taken them, the same HIV drugs can work for years and even decades.

This depends on getting your viral load to undetectable (<50 copies/mL). It also depends on keeping it this low.

This involves three things.

• Taking your meds, roughly at the right time.
• Following advice on taking with or without food.
• Trying to not miss doses.

Once your viral load is undetectable, it is likely to stay this low.

Around 19 out of every 20 people (95%) in the UK whose viral load is undetectable in the first year, will stay this low.

Last updated: 1 November 2024.