Strategies for third line HIV therapy

May 2008     View PDF     En español

Why a regimen fails

In general, a regimen has failed when your HIV level:

• does not drop by at least 90% within the first six months on a new regimen, and/or
• becomes and stays (on at least two tests in a row) detectable again after being undetectable.

Discovering the reasons why your current regimen is failing (and past regimens if possible) is key to creating a new one. The main reason that some people switch individual drugs or their entire regimens is because their current combination no longer keeps their HIV levels undetectable. For others, HIV levels may be only one factor among others that contributes to a failing regimen. These can include:

• developing drug-resistant virus,
• difficulty with staying on a regimen,
• not having high enough blood level of drugs, and
• side effects.