Highly active antiretroviral medicines are used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). They are used in combination to fight infections. This combination of antiretroviral medicines is often referred to as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). If you have HIV, HAART will not cure you. However, it can fight infections and live longer. But you must take medication as prescribed and on schedule.
HIV attacks your body by entering cells and copying itself. As the amount of virus in your body (called the viral load) increases, you get sick because your body has a hard time fighting infections. HAART keeps your viral load low. The lower your viral load is, the longer you can stay healthy. The goal of therapy is to get your viral load so low that it can’t be measured by blood tests. But it’s important to remember that even when your viral load is this low, you can still potentially pass HIV to other people.
Path to improved health
Why is it so important to take my medicine correctly?
HAART works well if you take the medicines the right way. But if you don’t take your medicines just the way your doctor tells you to, your HIV might not be exposed to enough medicine to control it. If this happens, the HIV becomes resistant, and the medicines stop working. Resistance to HAART medicines can be permanent.
There are not many kinds of medicine that can be used to treat HIV. So, if your HIV becomes resistant, you can run out of ways to treat it.
Do I need to take all of my medicine?
Great improvements have been made in HAART medications. Most patients are now on once daily medication. It is important that you remember to take it without skipping any days.
Some people put their pills in a daily pillbox and use alarms to remind themselves to take their medicines. You could also download a free app to remind you.
Do I have to eat or drink something when I take my medicine?
Some medicines must be taken with food. Others must be taken on an empty stomach. Check with your doctor and pharmacist about your particular medicines.
Some people who take the medicine indinavir get kidney stones. If your doctor wants you to take this medicine, you should drink at least 10 cups of water per day to help prevent kidney stones.
Grapefruit juice can affect the way some medicines work. Ask your doctor if it’s okay for you to drink or eat it. Also, ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to have alcoholic drinks.
Is it safe to take HAART with other medicines or with herbal products?
HAART can be dangerous if you take it with certain medicines or herbs. These include medicines for:
- High cholesterol
- Heart or blood problems
- Tuberculosis infection
- Migraine headaches
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
For example, some prescription medicines and herbal products can make your body push the HAART medicines through too fast, before they have time to work. St. John’s wort and garlic pills can make the level of HAART in your body drop too low to be helpful.
Tell your doctor about every other medicine you take. This includes all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products.
Things to consider
Can my medicines cause side effects?
Like most other medicines, HAART can cause side effects. Your doctor will talk to you about what side effects your particular medicine might cause.
If a serious reaction occurs, it usually occurs in the first few weeks of therapy. You should call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Constant thirst
- Frequent need to urinate
- Fever
- Rash
- Long-lasting groin pain (the groin is the area between the stomach and the thigh)
- Weakness
- Feeling bloated
- Abdominal pain, especially pain that gets worse after eating
Even when you are feeling well, your doctor will do laboratory tests to make sure you are not having side effects from your medicine. It is very important to keep a check on this.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Will an antiretroviral treatment help me?
- When should I begin treatment?
- I am feeling fine. Do I still need to take medication?
- Can HAART reduce my chance of passing HIV to my partner?
- How long can I take antiretroviral medicines?
Resources
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This article was contributed by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians
This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
