PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) are both ways to prevent HIV, but they work differently:

• PEP is ARV medication taken after possible exposure to HIV. It is an emergency treatment to be started within 72 hours of being exposed to HIV, and taken daily for 28 days to prevent HIV acquisition virus.
• PrEP is ARV medication taken by HIV negative persons before potential exposure to HIV to prevent HIV acqusition. 

In short, PEP is for emergency use after exposure, while PrEP is for prevention before exposure.  

Even if you use condoms, PrEP can provide extra protection against HIV. Condoms are effective but not 100% foolproof, and PrEP offers an additional layer of safety.

Imagine you and your partner use condoms consistently, but one day during sex, the condom breaks. Even with the best intentions, accidents can happen, and a broken condom means a higher risk of HIV exposure. If you’re on PrEP, it provides an additional layer of protection in case the condom fails, helping to prevent HIV infection.

By using both PrEP and condoms, you cover multiple aspects of HIV prevention, making it less likely that you’ll be at risk if one method doesn’t work perfectly. This combination offers a higher level of safety and peace of mind.

PrEP (TDF/3TC) is generally safe.  

Common side effects in the first week include nausea, abdominal cramps, and headaches, affecting 1 in 10 users. These are usually mild and go away within a month.

Rare side effects include creatinine elevation (1 in 200 users, reversible after stopping PrEP) and a 1% average loss of bone mineral density, which also recovers after stopping PrEP.

PrEP users should contact their provider if side effects are severe or if they have any concerns of persitance of side effects. Any serious side effects should be reported immediately.

After finishing your 28-day PEP medication, take an HIV test. If the result is negative and there’s no reason to avoid PrEP, start PrEP right away if you continue to be at risk of HIV exposure. PrEP is more effective and can prevent the need for repeated PEP. 

No, you don’t need to be worried. PrEP is generally safe to take alongside hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Studies have shown that PrEP doesn’t interfere with hormone levels, and HRT doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of PrEP. However, it’s always a good idea to discuss this with your healthcare provider to ensure that PrEP is right for you and to monitor any potential side effects. If you are on gender affirming hormones daily PrEP should be your choice.

If you’re taking daily PrEP, take it at the same time every day, like with a meal or before bed. This keeps the medication effective and provides the best protection against HIV.

For event-driven PrEP (ED PrEP), take it at least 2 hours before exposure or ideally up to 24 hours before.

When taking PrEP daily, the time difference between doses should be 24 hours. For example, if you take your PrEP dose at 8:00 AM today, you should take the next dose at 8:00 AM tomorrow.

Maintaining a consistent 24-hour interval helps ensure that the medication remains effective in your body. If you miss a dose or have any questions about timing, consult your healthcare provider for specific guidance.

If you miss a dose of daily PrEP:

• Take It ASAP: As soon as you remember, take the missed dose. If it’s close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
• Don’t Double Up: Avoid taking two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
• Stay on Schedule: Continue taking PrEP daily as usual after the missed dose.
• Consult Your Provider: If you miss multiple doses or have concerns, contact your healthcare provider for guidance and support.

Consistent daily use is crucial for PrEP to be effective in preventing HIV.

If you stop taking PrEP, its protective effect against HIV decreases quickly. Here’s what typically happens:

• Decreased Protection: PrEP provides effective protection against HIV only while you are taking it regularly. After you stop, the level of protection diminishes within a short period, usually within a week.

• HIV Risk: If you stop PrEP and are still at risk of HIV exposure, you will no longer have the same level of protection against the virus. It’s important to use other preventive measures if you continue to be at risk.

Overall, stopping PrEP means you’ll lose its protective benefits, so it’s crucial to manage your HIV prevention strategy carefully.

If you stop taking PrEP, its protection against HIV will decrease over time. Here’s a general idea:

• For Daily Use: PrEP provides effective protection against HIV as long as you take it consistently. Once you stop, the medication will continue to work in your body for a short period.

• How Long Protection Lasts: The level of protection decreases rapidly after you stop taking PrEP. Generally, protection against HIV might last for about a week or so after you stop taking it, but it diminishes quickly.

For ongoing protection, it’s important to continue taking PrEP as prescribed. If you stop taking PrEP, consider using other methods of protection and consult your healthcare provider to discuss alternative strategies for maintaining your HIV prevention.

PrEP remains effective even if you use alcohol or substances, as long as you take PrEP consistently every day. However, alcohol and substance use can sometimes lead to missed doses, which may reduce PrEP’s effectiveness in preventing HIV. It’s crucial to maintain a regular routine for taking your PrEP pill to ensure you’re fully protected. 

There are a few strategies to help you stay on track, like setting phone reminders, incorporating PrEP into a daily routine (such as taking it with breakfast or before bed), or using a pill organizer. If you find it challenging to remember to take PrEP because of your alcohol or substance use, discuss this with your healthcare provider. They can offer additional support or strategies to help you stay consistent and ensure PrEP works effectively for you.

Yes, you can usually take PrEP along with other medications, but it’s important to consult your healthcare provider first. PrEP is designed to be safe and effective when used with most other medications. However, some drugs might interact with PrEP, potentially reducing its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.

Your healthcare provider will review your current medications, including any prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, or supplements, to ensure there are no interactions. They may adjust your treatment plan if necessary or monitor you more closely to make sure everything works well together. By discussing all the medications you’re taking, your provider can help you safely incorporate PrEP into your routine without compromising your overall health

No, PrEP will not affect the results of a drug test. PrEP is an antiretroviral medication used to prevent HIV and does not show up on standard drug tests, which typically screen for substances like marijuana, cocaine, opioids, and other recreational drugs.

If you’re taking PrEP and planning to take a drug test, there’s no need to worry about it interfering with the test results. However, if you have concerns, you can always inform the testing facility about your PrEP use, but it’s not necessary as it won’t impact the outcome of the test.

To address this concern, it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your partner. Here are some steps you might consider:

1. Share Your Reasons: Explain why you’re considering PrEP and how it fits into your overall health strategy. Emphasize that it’s a proactive measure to protect both of you.

2. Discuss Protection: Reassure your partner that PrEP is part of a broader approach to sexual health, which includes using other protective measures and regular testing.

3. Address Concerns: Listen to your partner’s concerns and discuss them openly. This can help build trust and understanding.

4. Seek Counseling: If needed, consider couples counseling to navigate this conversation with professional support.

Open communication and education about PrEP can help both of you feel more secure and informed about your health choices.