PrEP

PrEP is different from PEP

PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) has been used for almost 2 decades for people exposed to HIV occupaionally & sexually.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) has been available for over 10 years and on the NHS in different parts of the UK since 2017. Most people take oral PrEP, in a tablet formulation, on a daily basis however there are other ways that some people take oral PrEP e.g. event- based sex just prior to sex and then again afterwards. PrEP is highly effective at stopping HIV from being transmitted when taken correctly.

People use PrEP for different reasons and can be used by (almost) everyone but is just one of several ways of looking after your sexual health. PrEP does not prevent pregnancy or other STIs and it is therefore important to look at other measures as prevention.

There are very few interactions between PrEP and other drugs however drug interactions can be checked on https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/ Before starting PrEP it is recommended that you visit your local sexual health clinic for a lab HIV test.