But switching therapies for the sake of fewer pills and side effects may not be the answer for everybody. New approaches for treating HIV are clearly needed. Currently, there are no clear guidelines on switching or stopping treatment. Like any other treatment decision, learning about your options, talking to your doctor and carefully weighing the pros and cons of switching or stopping treatment therapy may be the best guidance. For those who take preventive therapies for opportunistic infections, or medications to manage other conditions, STIs do not include stopping those therapies.
Close monitoring is also essential as it lessens potential risks.
Finally, for those who have decided to switch or stop therapy, this might be most safely done in the context of a clinical study. Studies provide more intensive monitoring, lessening the risk to you. They also result in information that will help others facing the same decisions in the future. Back to the Project Inform WISE Words March 2001 contents page . This document was provided by Project Inform .