If you are considering starting, stopping, or changing therapy then there is an important brochure² you should consider reading before doing so.

Side effects are the major reason for people living with HIV to change their combination therapy or stop taking them⁵.

It is important that you speak to your doctor immediately if you are experiencing any side effects. Don’t stop taking your medications without first speaking to your doctor.

Your doctor may change one or two drugs, or all of them. This might be done to reduce the number of pills you have to take or to avoid a side effect.

Clinical trials have shown that changing most HIV medications is safe and effective. Your HIV doctor will be able to provide you more information on this.

If you and your doctor decide that changing combination therapy is right for you, then there are questions to ask your doctor, if you are considering a switch:

1. How will this new combination affect me?
2. If I have any problems taking the drugs what should I do?
3. Do these drugs have any interactions with anything else I might be taking?
4. If I change to new medications and I get side effects, can I change back to my old ones?

There is more to life than just surviving – THRIVE

Being HIV positive, staying healthy and keeping my body in shape is one of my top priorities. It’s important to me that I look and feel good and it’s something that I work hard to achieve.To ensure none of that changes I always talk to my doctor about my health and what future medications will help to keep me in shape and looking good. Rob Sutherland