All patients on antiRetroviral Therapy need to be fully committed to the regimes prescribed. Many individuals stop treatment on their own due to various factors which include financial reasons, drug toxicities, psychological problems and other issues.
Most drug therapy discontinuation have been associated with a rapid rise in viral load and a fall in CD4 cell count. Thus for the majority of individuals continuation of therapy is associated with better prognosis than discontinuation. Results from structured treatment interruptions trials are still awaited.
When initiating therapy, the following should be considered at least:
1 ) The motivation of an individual to begin and continue therapy.
2) The impact of therapy on an individual s life-style and psychology, including the need to establish and maintain a pill-taking routine, perhaps using memory aids.
3) The potential risks and benefits of therapy in the short and long term.
4) The provision of written information to provide support outside the clinic setting.
