Take your medication at the

same time each day

Match your medication schedule

to your daily routine

Use a weekly or monthly pill tray

Set a reminder alarm on your

phone or email

Ask a family member or friend to 

remind you

•

•

•

•

•

TIPS FOR TAKING

HIV MEDICATION

FDA Oce of Minority

Health and Health Equity

1-888-INFO-FDA

(1-888-463-6332)

@FDAHealthEquity

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 www.fda.gov/healthequity

 healthequity@fda.hhs.gov





FDA encourages diverse 

participation in clinical trials.

If you think a clinical trial may 

be right for you, talk to your 

health care provider.

You can also search for clinical 

trials in your area at 

www.clinicaltrials.gov.

LIVING LONGER &

HEALTHIER WITH HIV
ART is recommended 

for all people who are 

HIV-positive, even if 

you feel healthy. 

Although following 

a prescribed 

regimen can’t cure 

HIV, it will increase 

your chances of staying 

healthier longer.

Why is it important to take your

HIV medications every day?

Taking your medications every day and exactly 

as prescribed is a critical part of reducing your 

viral load. Not taking your medications 

consistently may lead the HIV in your body to 

mutate (drug resistance), meaning that your 

current ART regimen is no longer eective at 

slowing down the virus’ progression. Once drug 

resistance develops, a person may have to 

change medications, as dierent medications will 

be needed to keep the virus from multiplying.

What is HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a 

chronic (long-term) disease that attacks the body’s 

immune system. If you’ve tested positive for HIV, 

talk to your health care provider as soon as 

possible about your treatment options. Left 

untreated, HIV can lead to acquired 

immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), an advanced 

stage of HIV that indicates severe damage to the 

immune system.

Although there’s currently no cure for HIV, the 

condition can be controlled with proper medical 

care. Taking your HIV medications as prescribed 

by your health care provider will help you stay 

healthy and reduce your risk of spreading HIV.

How do HIV medications work?

HIV can be managed by following a treatment 

regimen of FDA-approved medications known as 

antiretroviral therapy (ART). It involves taking a 

combination of HIV medications daily. These 

medications work by slowing down the 

progression of the virus in your body (viral load) 

and keeping the immune system strong enough 

to fight o other infections. 

The goal of ART 

is to reduce 

your viral load

to a level that is 

too low to 

detect. A low or 

undetectable 

viral load 

means that 

your immune 

system functions better to lower your risk for 

infections and certain HIV-related cancers. You 

will also significantly lower your chances of 

spreading the virus to an HIV-negative partner.

Take control of your health

People are living longer lives with HIV, and you 

can too—so don’t delay treatment! Talk to your 

health care provider as soon as possible about 

starting and maintaining an FDA-approved 

medication regimen to manage your HIV. Learn 

more about beginning an ART regimen at 

HIV.gov.