HIV Treatment

When taken as prescribed, HIV treatment – also called antiretroviral medicines – stops HIV from multiplying in the body. This does not cure HIV or remove the virus from the body but it does allow people with HIV to live long and healthy lives. HIV treatment is safer and more effective than ever.

The sooner a person with HIV starts treatment, the less damage the virus can do to their body. Medicines can reduce the virus in the body to such a low level that it does not show up on tests. This is known as an undetectable viral load. People with undetectable viral loads cannot pass HIV to others through sex.

HIV care and treatment services are available to all New Yorkers with HIV, regardless of their ability to pay or immigration status. To find a provider near you, visit the NYC Health Map:

NYC Health Map

For other medical and supportive services, visit Ryan White Part A Services for People With HIV.

Taking HIV Treatment

HIV treatment is available as pills or long-acting injections. HIV medicines only work if you have enough medicine in your body, so you should take medicine as prescribed.

Daily Treatment

Many HIV treatment regimens are one pill once per day. Some regimens may require more than one pill. Your medical provider will discuss your regimen with you.

Check in with your provider to refill your prescriptions and get tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some clinics offer check-ins by phone or video chat.

Injectable Treatment

There are two injectable treatment options:

Cabenuva is a complete HIV treatment regimen that consists of receiving injectable medicines every four or eight weeks.
Sunlenca is one injectable medicine that is given twice a year in combination with other HIV treatment medicines. Your provider will discuss your regimen with you.

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Side Effects

Many people who take HIV medicines report no side effects. The most common side effects are nausea, upset stomach, fatigue, and headaches. HIV treatment injections may cause swelling or redness at the injection site. Rare side effects include kidney or bone problems.

If you experience side effects, speak with your provider before stopping your treatment. Your provider can help you address side effects or other health-related issues that you may be experiencing. There are many treatment options, so work with your provider to find a regimen that works for you.

Making Medicine Part of Your Routine

If your HIV treatment consists of pills:

Take medicines before or after daily activities, such as when you eat breakfast or brush your teeth.
Use a pill box to help you remember to take your pills or ask your pharmacy if they can package your pills in daily blister packs.
Set daily reminders to take your medicine on your phone or watch, or download an app to help you stay on track.

If your HIV treatment consists of injections:

Make appointments around the same time, every time.
Mark appointments in your calendar.
Ask your clinic for reminder phone calls, text messages, or emails.
Ask a friend or family member to come with you.

Stopping HIV Treatment

HIV medicines only work if you have enough medicine in your body, so you should take medicines as prescribed.

Even if you feel healthy, do not take a break from treatment. If you are considering stopping your HIV medicines for any reason, talk to your provider before you do.

The Positive Life Workshop

The Positive Life Workshop is a peer-led, self-management workshop that helps people with HIV to take medicines, see their provider regularly, and connect with other people with HIV in a confidential space. The free, monthly workshops are also available in Spanish.

To go to a workshop, register by contacting one of the three community-based organizations in NYC where they are held:

Undetectable Equals Untransmittable

HIV medicines stop the virus from making copies of itself and can reduce it to an undetectable level. Keeping your HIV viral load undetectable helps keep you healthy and means you will not transmit the virus to your sex partners. This is also known as “undetectable equals untransmittable” or “U = U”.

Several scientific studies looked at thousands of couples undergoing HIV treatment. Among the participants in the studies who had undetectable HIV, none passed the virus to their partner.

Learn more about these studies: