Be Informed about PrEP

What is PrEP all about?

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is a protective medication regime that prevents HIV infection in HIV-negative people. PrEP provides effective protection against HIV when taken regularly before a possible HIV exposure. However, it does not work if taken after exposure to HIV has taken place. Here’s all that you need to know about PrEP and whether or not it’s right for you.

What medications are used in PrEP?

Currently, there are two drugs approved for use in the PrEP regime: Descovy and Truvada. Both these medications provide excellent protection against HIV in HIV-negative people. Both medications are approved to be used in daily PrEP regime as well.​​​​​​​

How often do I take PrEP?

PrEP works to prevent HIV infection in people who are at risk of exposure. It works to prevent HIV infection in HIV-negative people if taken daily before possible exposure. Taking this medication according to schedule is very important to achieve maximum protection. Maximum protection for women occurs 21 days after consistently taking PrEP daily and 14 days for men. However, sticking to rigorous drug schedules isn’t for everyone. Most people end up missing doses regularly.

Although PrEP offers some protection against HIV even when not taken regularly, it is highly advised to take PrEP for 21 days then to continue one per day for as long as necessary. The level of protection is directly proportional to the level of adherence to the drug schedule. Irregularity in drug schedule leads to reduced efficacy of the treatment and possible HIV infection. It is most effective after 7 days for anal protection and 21 days for vaginal and blood-to-blood protection.

What happens if I don’t take PrEP regularly?

Doctors generally advise taking PrEP every day for maximum protection. This recommendation is backed by research data on the efficacy of PrEP when taken regularly. Thus, it is advised to take medicine for as long as you require protection against the virus. Traditionally, you are advised to take these drugs as long as you’re sexually active. To reach maximum protection, PrEP is taken every day for 21 days. Afterward, you are required to take the pill every day for as long as you need protection against HIV.

How will PrEP affect my life?

PrEP works wonders in preventing HIV infections in HIV-negative people who are at risk. More and more people have started taking PrEP in the US in the past few years to gain protection against the HIV virus. Similarly, many public and private health care setups have also initiated several campaigns in order to encourage PrEP use as an HIV prophylactic.

However, despite the positive coverage, many people are still skeptical about using PrEP. There are concerns among the general public regarding PrEP use and how it would affect their daily lives. This is fairly common with almost every medication since people don’t always know how their medications work. Here are some factors to consider if you already use, or are about to use, the PrEP regime.

Most people think that PrEP is a lifelong therapy. However, that’s not true. Although it is recommended that PrEP should be taken every day for as long as protection against HIV is required, you are only required to take it when you know you are going to engage in high-risk behaviors for HIV.

You can start or stop anytime as long as you take it for 21 consecutive days and then one pill a day for as long as you need protection. PrEP reaches maximum protection from HIV for receptive anal sex (bottoming) at about 7 days of daily use. For receptive vaginal sex and injection drug use, PrEP reaches maximum protection at about 21 days of daily use.

How long do I take PrEP for?

Your doctor may recommend a PrEP regime if you have a high-risk lifestyle. But you don’t have to keep using this medication if you are sure that you won’t engage in unsafe sexual practices. While the recommendation is to take this medicine daily, you still have other options if you don’t want to. For example, condoms work great in protecting against HIV as well as other STIs. Once you have discontinued your PrEP regimen the antiviral defense decreases 24 hours after your last dose. No one can predict the future and it is always best to discuss discontinuing your PrEP therapy with your provider if you are thinking of doing so.

There is also an on-demand PrEP schedule that is much shorter and flexible then the daily PrEP schedule. This on-demand regime is only approved for cis-gender men who have sex with other men. You are required to take two pills 2-24 hours before a possible sexual encounter, and then continue to take one pill for at least two days after your last sexual encounter.

The daily PrEP regime offers up to 99% protection against HIV if taken regularly, research suggests. Talk to your doctor to know which medication regime would best suit you.​​​​​​​

Additionally, you can get yourself and your sexual partner tested for any STD, including HIV, regularly to keep your risk of contracting HIV low.

Who should take PrEP?

PrEP is a pre-exposure medication for HIV-negative people that acts as a prophylactic against HIV infections. The PrEP regime usually involves consulting a physician to create an effective HIV protection plan. The FDA approves two main drugs for use in this regime: Truvada and Descovy. The FDA also recommends taking PrEP medication every day to achieve 99% protection against HIV.

Should I take PrEP?

PrEP is an excellent option to protect both you and your partner from HIV. However, there are other options available as well to protect yourself. You can protect yourself from HIV by practicing safe behaviors such as:

– Not sharing injecting needles
– Not having multiple sex partners
– Having protected intercourse
– And getting tested for HIV frequently

PrEP is specifically designed for people who are at an increased risk of getting HIV. Your doctor will first evaluate both you and your partner to determine if you are eligible for the regime. PrEP is for people who:

– Have unprotected anal and/or vaginal sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown
– Live with an HIV positive partner who is not taking treatment
– Live with an HIV positive partner who does not have an undetectable viral load
– Have multiple sex partners
– Engage in sex parties
– Have been diagnosed with at least one STD in the last year
– Are involved in sex work
– Inject substances