Guest Author - Barbara Sharpe

Why Wouldn't Someone Take Their HIV Meds?

Despite the availability of HIV medications, there are people who are, to use the medical terminology, non medication compliant. There are many reasons why a person wouldn't take their medications.

For many people, it's that the side effects are so unpleasant. Okay, let's be honest: the side effects can be horrible. According to a document published by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), one commonly prescribed medications has a host of possible side effects including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, increase in body fat and others. Not every person gets every side effect. In fact, some people get no side effects. Still, for those who do, the side effects can seem worse than living with a virus that may not yet be showing many symptoms. It can certainly be a deterrant to proper medication use.

For others, it can be an economic issue. Some of the medications that are prescribed for HIV can cost $1,000 or more a month and it's rare to only need one. Even a person who has good health insurance can find it daunting to pay for medications. If a person has a drug plan, like mine, where a nongeneric drug has a $40 co-pay and they need half a dozen prescriptions per month, that's $240 a month just in co-pays. It can be a budget-buster. If a person has no insurance, it can amount to $6,000 a month. Where is a person going to find that kind of money and still pay for necessities like rent and groceries? If the person has children, often their own health runs a distant second to ensuring that their children have whatever they need.

Many states have AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) which help people with HIV get their prescriptions. Also, many drug companies have patient assistance programs. Not everyone who applies for ADAP help is able to receive it due to budget restrictions, but they do help a number of people each year. An AIDS Service Organization would be able to help a person access ADAP services.

Even with financial help, there are people who still don't take their medications. There are the side effects that I mentioned earlier. Another reason is the stigma associated with HIV. If a person lives in a small town or city, or gets their prescription filled in a pharmacy where others they knows are likely to be, the person is far less likely to get that prescription filled. While there are laws that prohibit disclosing someone else's HIV status and there are strict laws governing patient confidentiality, a person in a community that strongly stigmatizes HIV isn't likely to get proper treatment if there is any chance that someone might discover their HIV status.


Whatever the reason, not taking HIV medications can lead a person to "get sicker quicker". If you are a person who has HIV and you are not taking your medications because of one of these reasons, seek help. An AIDS Service Organization can connect you with a case manager to help you explore your options. If you are a person who is not HIV positive and you want to be of assistance to someone who isn't taking their medications, the first step is to check any judgemental attitude you have at the door. It's easy for someone not in the situation to decide what's best. That won't help anyone. Be open to listening to why the person isn't taking medications and help them brainstorm ideas to solve the problem.

Sometimes, there is no real problem. The person has simply decided that the benefits of taking the medications no longer outweigh the negatives. Perhaps they want to try "alternative treatments". Ultimately, the decision lies with the HIV positive person. Taking, or not taking, medications is a personal decision and must be respected, even if you don't agree with it.