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Balancing Medications and Meals
New treatments and combination therapies are good news for some people living with HIV. But taking any medication can be confusing. Special directions can be hard to follow, and medicines can have many side effects, especially in the first few months you take them. The foods you eat might help lessen side effects.
Whatever therapies or medications you take, it's important to eat well.
To help make the medicine you take work for you:
- See your doctor regularly. Be sure to take your medication as directed.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are any special directions for the medicine you are taking. For example, should it be taken with food or on an empty stomach?
- Work closely with your doctor, nurse, or dietitian to find the right balance between the foods you eat and the medicine you take.
- Don't start or stop taking any medication on your own. Talk to your doctor or nurse first.
- Drink plenty of fluids with your medicine and throughout the day.
- Set and keep a regular schedule for taking your medicines and meals. Try to eat at the same time every day.
