HIV Disease and AIDS

You may want to use a notebook to record any symptoms or reactions you have in response to your treatment. It will then be much easier to remember these details on your next visit to the doctor's office. At the same time, you may want to keep the following list of questions on hand to ask your doctor or pharmacist about any medication you are on or about to begin.

• What evidence exists to support using this combination of drugs?
  
  
• What side effects may result from using this combination of antiviral therapies?
  
  
• How often do I have to take these drugs and for how long?
  
  
• Are there any foods or drinks which I should avoid when taking these drugs?
  
  
• Do these drugs interact with any other prescription medications, street drugs, alcohol or nicotine?
  
  
• Do these drugs have any effect on birth control pills?
  
  
• Can I take these drugs if I am pregnant?
  
  
• What other alternatives do I have?
  
  
• Will taking these drugs fit in realistically with my lifestyle?