Friday, November 16, 2012

Drug Resistance and Adherence


Malcolm Brown
International Contributor
Hello to all my Viral Brothers and Sisters.  

Thanks for reading this blog.  The following post concerns the issues of Drug Resistance and Adherence.

 HIV drug resistance occurs when HIV mutates and reproduces itself in the presence of Anti Retro Viral (ARV) drugs rendering them relatively ineffective.  It occurs easily in HIV because it has the highest mutation rate of any virus.  First line treatments are those that are initially recommended to treat HIV.  It has been well established that first line treatments are known to affect the response of  HIV to possible future treatments.  The best way to prevent HIV drug resistance is by strict adherence to first-line treatments. 

 Essentially adherence means taking the ARV on time and in the manner prescribed by your HIV Medical Specialist. 

9 useful tips to help you to remember and adhere to your ARV regimen:
1.  Connect your pills with something you do every day, like taking them after meals or going online in the morning by placing them on the kitchen table of next to the computer. 
2.  Keep your pills in a pillbox, and carry them with you when you go out.  Always wear a small body bag with the ARV in it, even in bed.  This way, wherever you are, you’ll always have them handy.

 3.  Use beepers, computer reminders, telephone reminders and watches.  Basically anything that trains you to remember. 

 4.  Establish a support network.  Let a few HIV+ friends and your family know if you are having a compliance problem so they can phone or message you when your meds are due.  Forgetting is the most common reason for missing doses.

 5.  Place a reminder note near something you use every day such as the milk, coffee, tea, your toothbrush, the TV etc. When you see your note, you’ll remember to take your meds.  Stick a magnet on the refrigerator to remind you to take your meds. You can also use a sticky note or something only you will recognize.

 6.  Put dosage times into your daily planner.  Just like an appointment, add your medication doses into your daily planner to remind you when a dose is due.

 7.  Plan ahead for traveling, refills and weekends.  Pack your meds and keep them with you when traveling. Keep in mind that your schedule may change while traveling but you will still need to take the meds on time.  Also, plan ahead for your refills.  Don't wait until you are out of ARV before contacting your treatment hub.

 8.  Arrange for privacy.  If you want to hide the fact you take meds, arrange for some private time at work when you can take your meds. Scout out a place such as a bathroom where you can take your meds in private.

 9.  Talk to a professionally trained counselor and your HIV Medical Specialist for more tips and about any ongoing compliance issues.

I have a very personal interest in compliance issues.  In August of this year a wonderfully vivacious and talented young chat mate of mine passed away from and AIDS related illness.  He didn't reveal to me that he had been having major compliance issues until we had been chatting for well over a month.  He passed away 3 months later.  He was only 21 years of age.

So Viral Brothers and Sisters, stay healthy.  Stay adherent,

Credits:  The innumerable HIV+ people who have shared their tips with me over the last 3 months.



"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-


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