What is PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)?
PrEP is a drug taken by HIV-negative people before sex that reduces the risk of getting HIV. Taking PrEP before sex means there is enough drug inside you to block HIV if it gets into your body. The only approved method of taking PrEP in the UK is through tablet form. The medication most commonly used for PrEP is a tablet which contains tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine (drugs commonly used to treat HIV). It is sometimes called Truvada but most of the PrEP we use in the UK is generic PrEP.
A second pill has been approved for use as PrEP – the branded drug Descovy or its generic equivalent. It contains tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine, sometimes called ‘TAF PrEP’.
Where can I get PrEP?
PrEP is now available for free on the NHS via your local sexual health clinic. In Bristol, North Somerset or South Glos this would be Yuno Sexual Health.
How do I take PrEP?
PrEP can be been used in two different ways:
- taken regularly (one tablet per day).
- only taken when needed (two tablets two to 24 hours before sex, one tablet 24 hours later and a further tablet 48 hours after that).
This second method is often called ‘on-demand’, ‘event-based’ or 2-1-1 dosing. On-demand dosing is only suitable for anal sex.
Daily dosing is recommended both anal and vaginal or frontal sex.
Daily PrEP is recommended for all trans people using hormone treatment as there isn’t sufficient data to support other dosing options.
What is PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)?
PEP is Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) that is taken after an instance in which someone maybe have been vulnerable to acquiring HIV. The medication can be taken up to 72 hours after potential infection but has more efficiency the sooner you take it. The medication works in the same way that ART meds work for someone who is HIV positive but as the virus is so new to the body the medication is able to fight it off completely.
Where can I get PEP?
PEP is available on the NHS for free but is only given to people who meet guidelines about its use.
The best place to get PEP is a sexual health or HIV clinic. If you need PEP over the weekend or outside of office hours, when clinics will often be closed, the best place to go is an Accident and Emergency department.
If the person you had sex with is living with HIV and has an undetectable viral load, you will not need PEP as it won’t be possible for the virus to have been transmitted.
How do I take PEP?
PEP must be taken exactly as instructed and for 28 days.
- Do not skip a dose or fail to complete the full month as this makes it less likely to work.
- Do not double a dose if you miss one.
- If you do miss a dose and you remember in less than 24 hours, take the next one as soon as you remember.
- If you miss more than 48 hours of PEP it will be discontinued.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you can still take PEP.