Question
I stopped meds, can I begin taking them again?
14 December 2016. Related: Adherence, All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
I found out about my HIV status this year September I was then given arvs on the 18 of October I only used them for three weeks I then stop….. It has been a month not taking them, will I become resistance to the treatment if I start using them next month? my cd4count is 327. Im scared if I start using them again I will get sick so I wanna know if I can start using them again or I should take immune boosters
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Firstly, HIV meds are very good and very safe. They work really well. Even if you have trouble with side effects with one combination, it should be easy to use a different one.
“Immune boosters” are just an advertising scan. Although companies might claim this, there is no evidence that any of them work for HIV – or anything else.
These products will not help your CD4 count, nor your HIV. The only thing that will is ARVs.
Having a month of meds isn’t ideal, but please talk to your doctor about this if you are worried.
It is great that you are thinking about restarting as the combination is likely to still work very well. For more info on restarting, please see this earlier answer:
https://i-base.info/qa/12271
Hello Wendy and thank you for the question.
I am very sorry you are experiencing such difficulty with the clinic.
You have done the right thing, going to the nearest clinic and registering with them.
I am based in the UK so I am not sure of the situation in Cape Town.
Here in the UK, when someone transfers to a clinic it is expected that they will contact the old clinic and get the transfer letter.
The UK clinics will also give one month of medication to someone who has run out but has the bottles of their medication with them.
So, I would ask the clinic if they can request a transfer letter on your behalf.
Also, bring the old bottles of medication to the clinic and ask if they can give you a small supply.
Hi I’m from cape town. so I was taking meds in a clinic far away. I moved and I didn’t get medication. I also don’t have a transfer letter. now I went to the nearest clinic to where I am now and they are asking for a transfer. I’m worried about my CD4 will be going down as it has been 2 to 3 months now I’m not taking treatment. I can’t gain access to a transfer letter. What can I say to the health workers here in order for them to assist me?
Hi Phakama, thanks – great you are no back on ART again. This is really likely to still be working, but please also ask your doctor if you are worried.
i have interrupted my arv treatment for a year i recently went back to my arv treatment the same treatment.what are the risks is it still safe
Hi Nkuna, thanks for your comment. I was wondering why you stopped your meds. We often hear this from people, even though staying on ART is much better for your health.
Good that you want to restart now though. Please talk to your doctor or clinic as they will want to know you are okay. The clinic will also need to check your viral laod and CD4 count if you havbe not been having these monitored.
Using the same meds should be fine, but newer meds called TLD might also be available now that are easier to take.
I stopped taking my Arvs in 3 years back and how safe will it be to continue again and can it be the same combination?
Hi Mbali – thanks for sharing your experience – which will help other people who also fee the same way. It is really good that you have decided to go back on treatment. Whether or not your family know the reason, they would want you to put your health first by making sure you are on treatment.
Please talk to the new doctor and explain that you used treatment before. This might be important when choising your new treatment. The meds should still all work but newser one might now be available tht are even better.
I stopped taking my meds for the past 2years now n I want to restart again but in a different clinic.isit fine
I stopped taking them cause I was afraid 2 tell my family,I kept my situation to my self but now I regret it cause it was the reason I stopped taking them,they would start asking y you always go 2 clinic every 2months,are you ok
Hi Nakimbugwe, it is safe to restart meds. How is your health in general?
In the last 3 years you have been off meds have you had any CD4 count/viral load tests?
Do you want to restart the same meds you were on previously? and are you intending on going back to the same clinic?
In most cases people do not have a problem restarting meds and are able to continue with treatment. In some cases there is a risk of resistance in which treatment will not work as well and a different combination will need to be tried. To check for this a second viral load test is offered soon after restarting treatment to check that the viral load is being suppressed. Do you have any concerns about restarting treatment?
I stop taking arvs 3yrs ago,what will happen if I restart