By: Lisa Toahty, Prevention Specialist
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medication taken to prevent HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection in people at risk for HIV from sex or injection drug use. There are medications approved for PrEP: Truvada®, Descovy®, and also an injectable drug, cabotegravir. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when used as prescribed; with 99% effective to prevent HIV through sex and 74% effective for injection drug users.
PrEP has been proven safe. There has not been any significant health effects seen in people who are HIV negative and have been on medication for up to five years. You can have side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, or stomach pain, but these usually go away over time.
You may consider taking PrEP if you have tested negative for HIV and any of the following apply to you:
- sex with an HIV positive partner
- do not use condoms consistently
- have been diagnosed with an STD in the past six months
- have a partner who injects drugs and is HIV positive
- share needles, syringes, or other equipment for injecting drugs
- continued high risk behavior
- women with an HIV positive partner considering getting pregnant
PrEP is not a vaccine. Vaccines teach the body to fight infections and can have protection for many years. PrEP works by maintaining certain levels of medication in the body and keeping HIV from taking hold if introduced into your body.
PrEP must be taken daily if prescribed Truvada or Descovy. An HIV test must be taken to ensure negative HIV status before starting PrEP and testing for HIV must occur every three months to receive refills. Also, tests for Hepatitis B and C, other STDs, and renal function will be administered before starting PrEP. At the end of 2021, the FDA approved an injectable medication for PrEP, cabotegravir. It is first given as two initiation injections given one month apart and then every two months thereafter.
If you are at risk for HIV, schedule an appointment with your provider to discuss PrEP and if it is an option for you.