You should aim to take your pills at the same time each day so that it becomes a habit.

If you are used to taking all or nearly all of your antiretrovirals at the right time and in the right way, you are much better placed if you have a problem such as forgetting a dose, being away for a night without your medication, or running out of pills. If you have already missed a significant number of doses and something like this happens, things are more likely to go wrong.

In studies, missing doses has been associated with an increase in viral load, a fall in CD4 cell count, and an increased risk of resistance. The best results of HIV treatment are seen in people who take all, or nearly all, of the doses of their drugs in the right way.

While you should try to take every dose of your medication as prescribed, most people taking HIV treatment occasionally forget to take a dose or take it late.

What you should do about a missed dose will depend on the circumstances. In most cases, the safest option is to take the missed dose as soon as you realize it and then to return to your normal schedule. If you only realize that you have missed a dose when you come to the next dose, take the normal dose. Do not take a double dose to compensate for the one you have missed.

If you miss a dose and are not sure what to do, it’s a good idea to contact your clinic for advice. #ItStartsWithU

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