HIV management has come a long way. With the right treatment, a person can live a long and healthy life with HIV.

Medication that treats HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART can lower the viral load (the amount of HIV in your body) to an undetectable level. With an undetectable viral load, HIV can’t be transmitted to someone else. 

The key to making ART work is to take medications exactly as directed. This can be tough for a variety of reasons.

It can be hard to remember to take medications or to order refills on time. You might have problems with side effects. You might feel confused about exactly how or when to take your medications. 

Here are some tips to help overcome common challenges with taking HIV medications.