Why Taking a Break from HIV Treatment is Not Safe
Taking a planned break from HIV treatment (sometimes called a “drug holiday”) is not safe and is not recommended by doctors. Research shows that stopping HIV medicine can lead to more health problems and even increase the risk of death.
There has been a lot of research that has confirmed this. The SMART study in 2006 has compared people who stopped treatment with those who took it without breaks. Those who took breaks got sick more often, not just from HIV but from heart, kidney, and liver problems.
Sometimes, treatment breaks are used in research studies to learn how a body responds when medicine is paused but this is only done under strict medical supervision in safe settings.
If you’re thinking of stopping your medication, talk with your doctor first to understand the risks and get support for staying well.
Read more: aidsmap.com/about-hiv/hiv-treatment-breaks
