Review Material Patient Adherence Brochure

HIV medicine

Every
pill counts
TOWARD PROTECTING YOUR
HEALTH

7b_PIC_AdherencePatientAid_v4 12-5-13

LET’S TALK about

HIV medicine

Every pill
counts
TOWARD PROTECTING YOUR HEALTH

7a_PIC_AdherencePatientAid_v4 12-5-13

LET’S TALK about

HIV is something you
can manage
With the medicines available to treat HIV, most
people living with HIV are living long, healthy
lives.
This brochure explains:
• Why HIV medicines protect your health when
you take them every day
• How to remember to take your HIV medicines
• What to do about any side effects you
experience
• When to talk to your medical provider or
pharmacist
• Where else to go for help

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TUES

WE

“I’m afraid of HIV medicines. Do they even
work?”
HIV medicines protect your health
HIV medicines work by reducing the amount of virus
in your blood. This is called your viral load. This helps
to keep the virus controlled. So, if you take your HIV
medicines every day, your HIV can be controlled, and
you will be able to live a longer and healthier life.
“Every day? Forever?”
The only way to reduce your viral load and keep it
controlled is to take your medicines every day. If you
don’t, your viral load may go up and the number of
CD4 cells will go down. This is important because the
CD4 cells help your body fight HIV and other infections. Not taking your medicines as directed might
also make the virus change so the medicines no
longer work (this is called “resistance”).
Remember, take your HIV medicines exactly the
way your medical provider or pharmacist tells
you to…every day.
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NO ELF
S
TO

What can happen if you don’t take your
medicines every day:
• Your CD4 count can go down, and your viral
load can go up
• The virus can become resistant, so the
medicines you are taking can stop working
and you have fewer treatment choices
• When either of these occur, you can get sick
and are more likely to pass the virus on to
others

Taking HIV medicines­—every pill, every day
­—protects your health (and protects
others, too)
“I’m too busy to take pills every day.”
Taking medicines each day can be difficult.
But remind yourself that you are taking the medicines to
protect your health! You have done other tough things in
your life, and you can do this, too.

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“I’ll never remember.”
Yes, you can!
Try to match taking your medicines with your lifestyle. For
example, connect the time you take your HIV medicines to
something else you do at the same time each day, such as
eating a meal or getting ready for bed. You can also use
reminders like calendars, pill boxes, and smart phone apps.
“I’m tired of taking pills every day. I need a break.”
Don’t give in!
Taking medicines every day is the best way to protect your
health for years to come. So talk to your medical provider
if you are considering stopping your medicines.
“I don’t want anyone to see me taking pills.”
Remember, lots of people take medicines every day to
manage conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure,
or high cholesterol. So, if you take HIV medicines, you too
are doing something good for your health. But it’s important to find a time and place for taking your medicines that
is comfortable for you.
Taking your HIV medicines daily is helping you get
better and lead a long, healthy life.

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Tips to help you stick with
your medicine plan
Take your medicines at the same time each
day. (See next page for what to do if you
miss a dose.)
Set the alarm on a clock you always use,
or even your cell phone.
Match your medicines schedule to your life:
add taking your medicines to something
you already do every day, like brushing
your teeth.
If you take other medicines, such as
medicine for high blood pressure, ask your
medical provider or pharmacist if you can
take your HIV medicines at the same time.
TUES

6

WE

Try a weekly pill tray with compartments
for each day of the week. This can help you
remember whether or not you took your
pills that day.

MON

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Use a calendar to check off the days you have
taken your medicines.
Wear a watch to keep track of the time. Set your
watch alarm for the time you need to take your
medicines.
If you use the internet, download free apps for
your computer or smart phone that can help
remind you when it’s time to take your medicines.
Search for “pill reminder app” and you will find
many choices.

TE
NO ELF
S
TO

?

Keep a reminder note on a mirror, on your
refrigerator, or anywhere else you will see it each
day.
Ask a family member or friend to help you
remember.

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“I’m afraid of the side effects.”
There are many ways to reduce or stop side
effects.
Any medicine can cause side effects. Most side effects
from HIV medicines go away after a few days. Some are
more serious and may be managed by changing your
medicines plan.
If you are having side effects that make you feel sick,
don’t stop taking your medicines. Instead, talk to your
pharmacist or call your medical provider. They can work
with you to find a solution and help you stop or manage
any side effects.
“What if I miss a dose of my HIV medicines?”
If you realize you have missed a dose, go ahead and
take the medicine as soon as you can, then take the
next dose at your usual scheduled time, unless your
pharmacist or medical provider has told you something
different. (For example, some medicines should only
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?
be taken at night to reduce the chance of side effects).
If you find you miss a lot of doses, talk to your pharmacist
or medical provider about ways to help you remember.
“It’s too expensive”
Programs and services are available to help people who
have limited or no insurance and people who can’t afford
to buy medicines. Please see the back of this brochure for
more information.
“I want to beat the virus”
Remember, taking your pills every day will protect your
health because it will keep the HIV virus under control.
Don’t forget to ask for help from your medical provider,
pharmacist, social worker, friends, and family. Together,
you can find a successful way to make taking medicines
a daily part of a long, healthy life.
It takes a lot of work to stay on your medicines.
But you can do it!
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Glossary
AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is
a disease that causes a weak immune system. AIDS
increases the risk of getting certain infections and
cancers.
CD4 cells: Also called T-lymphocytes, these cells
are an important part of your immune system to help
you fight infection. The more CD4 cells you have, the
better your body can control HIV.
CD4 count: A blood test that measures the number
of T-lymphocytes, or CD4 cells. If your CD4 count
goes down, your risk of developing infections goes
up.
HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus
that can lead to AIDS. A person can have HIV and not
have AIDS.
HIV medicines: HIV medicines help to control the
virus and stop if from getting worse. The medicines
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are called “antiretroviral therapy” and are sometimes
referred to as ART.
Immune system: The body’s defense against
infection and disease. The immune system is made
up of different types of cells that fight infections and
viruses to keep you healthy.
Medicine resistance: HIV can mutate (or change)
causing the HIV medicines to stop working. This can
happen if the HIV medicines are not taken every day,
as instructed.
STDs (sexually transmitted diseases): Diseases
that are spread by having sex. Examples are syphilis
and gonorrhea.
Viral load: Refers to the amount of HIV virus in
the blood. As your viral load increases, your risk of
becoming sick increases as well.

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For more information on
protecting yourself and others:
Contact CDC-INFO online at http:www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/
or call 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) (TTY: 888-232-6348)
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET
Your call is free and private.

For help with paying for medicines:
Both Medicaid and the Ryan White Program are available to
provide care for those with limited or no health insurance.
For Medicaid, check your State Health Department.
To find a nearby Ryan White Program, go to
http://findhivcare.hrsa.gov/Search_HAB.aspx,
or call (877) 464-4772, Monday through Friday
(except Federal holidays), 9:00 am to 5:30 pm ET.
Ask your medical provider if the maker of your medicines
has a program to help you pay for it.
You can also find lots more information about HIV at

www.cdc.gov/actagainstaids

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Protect Yourself. Protect Others.