PrEP
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4 FAQs
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a preventative medication taken by HIV-negative individuals to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV infection. It contains antiretroviral drugs similar to those used to treat HIV, which prevent the virus from establishing a permanent infection in the body if exposure occurs.
Treatments (0)
Advice for PrEP
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a preventative medication taken by HIV-negative individuals to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV infection. It contains antiretroviral drugs similar to those used to treat HIV, which prevent the virus from establishing a permanent infection in the body if exposure occurs. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective, reducing the risk of HIV acquisition through sexual contact by about 99% and through injection drug use by at least 74%. PrEP represents a significant advancement in HIV prevention, offering protection beyond traditional methods like condoms. In the UK, PrEP is available through the NHS to individuals at high risk of HIV acquisition, marking an important step in public health efforts to reduce new HIV infections.
PrEP FAQs (4)
PrEP is highly effective when taken as prescribed. For sexual transmission, daily PrEP reduces the risk of acquiring HIV by about 99% when adherence is high. For people who inject drugs, PrEP reduces the risk by at least 74%. It's important to understand that this protection builds up over time—it takes about 7 days of daily use to reach maximum protection for receptive anal sex, and about 21 days for receptive vaginal sex or injection drug use. The effectiveness of PrEP directly correlates with adherence—missing doses reduces protection. Real-world studies in the UK have shown extremely low rates of HIV acquisition among consistent PrEP users, confirming its effectiveness as a prevention strategy when used properly.
Most people who take PrEP experience few or no side effects. When side effects do occur, they're typically mild and resolve within the first few weeks of starting treatment. The most common side effects include nausea, headache, fatigue, and mild gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea or stomach discomfort. Some people experience what's known as "start-up syndrome"—mild symptoms that appear initially but disappear as the body adjusts to the medication. Rarely, PrEP can affect kidney function, which is why regular monitoring is important.
While PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV when taken correctly, it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, or herpes. It also doesn't prevent pregnancy or hepatitis C virus transmission. Using condoms alongside PrEP provides more comprehensive sexual health protection. Sexual health clinics and healthcare providers can offer personalised advice about combining prevention strategies based on your specific situation. Regular STI testing remains important for all sexually active individuals, including those taking PrEP.
No, PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) are different approaches to HIV prevention. PrEP is taken regularly by HIV-negative people before potential exposure to prevent HIV acquisition. PEP is an emergency treatment taken after a potential exposure to HIV has already occurred.