QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT PrEP
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a single daily dose pill for HIV-negative individuals. People exposed to HIV can prevent contracting it with the assistance of PrEP.
PrEP is safe, and the regimen is generally well-tolerated. The original pill used for PrEP, Truvada, has been used to treat people living with HIV since 2004. PrEP can cause mild side effects, including upset stomach, headaches, and weight loss, especially at the beginning of the regimen.
A very small percentage of patients have issues with their kidneys or bones. That’s why we perform several tests on your first visit to see if you are at risk. We’ll also continue to monitor your health at regular intervals.
PrEP is 99% effective when taken daily.
We provide all our services at no cost to our patients, regardless of their insurance status, income, or citizenship status.
These services include PrEP prescriptions and necessary monitoring tests, PEP prescriptions, STD testing, and some forms of STD treatment. We can help patients who have tested positive for HIV get connected with HIV treatment.
Anyone who wants to stay HIV-negative and thinks there is a chance that they may be exposed to HIV sexually or through sharing injection equipment at some point in the future. For example, if you think there’s a chance you may end up choosing to have anal, vaginal, and/or oral sex without condoms, PrEP can benefit you by giving you confidence you’ll stay negative while doing so, regardless of your partner’s HIV status.
Studies have shown that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken daily.
PrEP works to prevent HIV from establishing itself in someone’s body even if they’re exposed to HIV through sex or sharing injection equipment.
Being on PrEP involves taking a pill every day and having an appointment every three months with your PrEP provider to check in and get tested.
In the United States, the only PrEP dosing regimen approved by the FDA is daily dosing.
The pill does not have to be taken at the same time every day to be effective, but often, people are less likely to forget to take a daily pill when they take it at the same time every day and pair it with another daily ritual, like when brushing their teeth in the morning or at night.
According to the CDC, PrEP reaches maximum protection from HIV for receptive anal sex 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.
PrEP does not protect against other STDs.
Yes! PrEP is safe. Ask your doctor for more information.
PrEP has not been shown to alter hormone levels. When taken daily, PrEP is just as effective for people using hormones as it is for people who are not using hormones.
You and your medical provider will decide how long you would like to take PrEP. It is all up to you!
Yes, PrEP is a prescription medication and requires lab monitoring.
You can speak to our PrEP navigator today. Most people start PrEP after the appropriate lab work.
You can pick up your PrEP at your local pharmacy or have it mailed to you.
Daily PrEP is somewhat forgiving with missed doses, which is an advantage it has over condoms, which provide no protection when they are not used.
Your provider can help you strategize about ways to remember to take PrEP daily.
If you miss a dose of PrEP, continue with the next dose. Taking two doses to make up for a missed dose is unnecessary.
For the most part, yes, but it is important that you list any drugs you are currently taking when completing the health questionnaire.
Every 3 months you will undergo HIV and STI testing. If you test positive for HIV stop PrEP immediately and contact your provider.
If you test positive for any other STI, continue your PrEP and your provider will reach out to you with treatment options.
PrEP is a pill taken daily before you are exposed to HIV. PEP are pills you take after sex and think you could have been exposed to HIV.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT PrEP
Yes! PrEP is safe. Ask your doctor for more information.
PrEP does not protect against other STDs.
According to the CDC, PrEP reaches maximum protection from HIV for receptive anal sex 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.
In the United States, the only PrEP dosing regimen approved by the FDA is daily dosing.
The pill does not have to be taken at the same time every day to be effective, but often, people are less likely to forget to take a daily pill when they take it at the same time every day and pair it with another daily ritual, like when brushing their teeth in the morning or at night.
PrEP works to prevent HIV from establishing itself in someone’s body even if they’re exposed to HIV through sex or sharing injection equipment.
Being on PrEP involves taking a pill every day and having an appointment every three months with your PrEP provider to check in and get tested.
Studies have shown that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken daily.
Anyone who wants to stay HIV-negative and thinks there is a chance that they may be exposed to HIV sexually or through sharing injection equipment at some point in the future. For example, if you think there’s a chance you may end up choosing to have anal, vaginal, and/or oral sex without condoms, PrEP can benefit you by giving you confidence you’ll stay negative while doing so, regardless of your partner’s HIV status.
We provide all our services at no cost to our patients, regardless of their insurance status, income, or citizenship status.
These services include PrEP prescriptions and necessary monitoring tests, PEP prescriptions, STD testing, and some forms of STD treatment. We can help patients who have tested positive for HIV get connected with HIV treatment.
PrEP is safe, and the regimen is generally well-tolerated. The original pill used for PrEP, Truvada, has been used to treat people living with HIV since 2004. PrEP can cause mild side effects, including upset stomach, headaches, and weight loss, especially at the beginning of the regimen.
A very small percentage of patients have issues with their kidneys or bones. That’s why we perform several tests on your first visit to see if you are at risk. We’ll also continue to monitor your health at regular intervals.
PrEP is 99% effective when taken daily.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a single daily dose pill for HIV-negative individuals. People exposed to HIV can prevent contracting it with the assistance of PrEP.
PrEP is a pill taken daily before you are exposed to HIV. PEP are pills you take after sex and think you could have been exposed to HIV.
Every 3 months you will undergo HIV and STI testing. If you test positive for HIV stop PrEP immediately and contact your provider.
If you test positive for any other STI, continue your PrEP and your provider will reach out to you with treatment options.
For the most part, yes, but it is important that you list any drugs you are currently taking when completing the health questionnaire.
Daily PrEP is somewhat forgiving with missed doses, which is an advantage it has over condoms, which provide no protection when they are not used.
Your provider can help you strategize about ways to remember to take PrEP daily.
If you miss a dose of PrEP, continue with the next dose. Taking two doses to make up for a missed dose is unnecessary.
You can pick up your PrEP at your local pharmacy or have it mailed to you.
You can speak to our PrEP navigator today. Most people start PrEP after the appropriate lab work.
Yes, PrEP is a prescription medication and requires lab monitoring.
You and your medical provider will decide how long you would like to take PrEP. It is all up to you!
PrEP has not been shown to alter hormone levels. When taken daily, PrEP is just as effective for people using hormones as it is for people who are not using hormones.
