Drug resistance

When HIV reproduces, it makes thousands of copies of itself. Some of these copies can have mistakes or ‘mutations’, and these changed copies will go on to reproduce further copies of themselves. Sometimes, HIV changes in such a way that it can escape the control of antiretroviral [1]A medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. drugs. These copies can then go on multiplying, unchecked by the drugs, leading to a whole new population of virus [2]A small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. which is resistant [3]HIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. to one or more of the drugs in your combination.

You may be able to change to another combination that can work against these resistant copies of HIV. In some cases the HIV in your body can develop resistance to other drugs belonging to the same group. This is called cross-resistance.

Avoiding resistance

It is more difficult for HIV to become resistant to drugs if they are taken at the right time and in the right amounts every day. This is because the drugs need to get into the body at optimal levels to fight the virus effectively. Most importantly, do not miss doses of your drugs.

Certain types of foods can also affect drug levels or eating patterns, so if your drugs have specific requirements related to diet or meal times, it’s important to observe them.

Missing doses or sporadically stopping and starting therapy can seriously increase the risk of resistance. It is important that you do not stop taking any antiretroviral drugs without discussing it with your doctor because there is a danger that your body will develop resistance to drugs that you have been using.