Important note: Information in this Q&A was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I was just checking to see if I should ask my doctor to take me off my meds for a year. I do not know if it is a good thing or not. I have been on Meds for 5 years now. I currently take Atripla. I am concerned about the effects of the meds in the long term. I have been to web sites that give all sorts of mis information about aids meds. I know my doctor is the best person to consult, but I will not see him until March again. My T cells are 560 and my viral load is undectable. I live in Dallas, TX. Please give me any good info or websites I can use to get the best info on aids meds.
Trevor Hawkins, M. D.
Associate Clinical Professor, Dept. Family Practice, University New Mexico
Medical Director, Southwest CARE Center, Santa Fe, NM
Congratulations on your excellent results! No, we no longer recommend stopping successful therapy as data has shown that patients who do so are at a higher risk for both HIV related diseases and non-HIV related diseases such as heart attack, kidney disease etc. As long as you are tolerating your meds I would continue them every day without interruption.
Editor's note:
For good info about meds, try one of the following websites:
Medications to Fight HIV - The AIDS InfoNet
www.aidsmeds.com - Founded and Operated by People with HIV
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