Take Control of Your Sexual Health | Women’s Health (PrEP to Protect You and Your Baby) | Why PrEP? | More About PrEP Meds | What to Expect at Your Visit | Downloadable Infographics
This information was prepared for you by
Jonathan Shuter, MD, a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Uriel Felsen, MD, an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Raffaele M. Bernardo, DO, an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
SUMMARY:
PrEP is one of the most effective ways for you to lower your chance of getting HIV infection. It can be used in combination with other methods including condoms, making sure any sexual partners living with HIV are taking their meds the right way and staying undetectable, and not sharing needles or injection equipment if you inject drugs. PrEP can work for everyone regardless of biological sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation and can also reduce the chance of HIV transmitted through injection drug use. PrEP puts YOU in control of your sexual health.
What is PrEP?
- PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
- “Pre-exposure” means having medicine in your system even before you have sex
- “Prophylaxis” means the medicine prevents you from getting HIV even if your partner has it
- There are different PrEP options to choose from (read more about these medications by tapping the ‘More About PrEP Meds’ entry’ at the top of this entry)
TDF/FTC (pills)
- TDF/FTC is one pill that contains two medicines and is also known as
- Truvada
- Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine
TAF/FTC (pills)
- TAF/FTC, similar to TDC/FTC, is one pill that contains two medicines and is also known as
- Descovy
- Tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine
Cabotegravir (injection)
- Cabotegravir injection is also known as
- Apretude
- CAB-LA
PrEP Works
- Many studies done across the globe have proven that when PrEP is taken correctly and consistently it is HIGHLY effective in preventing HIV infection
- When PrEP doesn’t work, it is usually because people miss too many doses of the medicine or don’t take it at all
PrEP is Safe
- Most people who take PrEP don’t have side effects
- When side effects do happen, they are usually mild and often go away after a few weeks of taking PrEP
Other Considerations:
- By law, almost all health insurances in the US must cover the costs of PrEP including
- Medicine
- Doctor visits
- Blood tests
- HIV testing
- STD testing
- PrEP can adapt to what’s happening in your life since your risk for HIV can change
- It’s a good idea to talk to your health care team about stopping PrEP before making that decision
- If things change again, you can restart
- PrEP does not protect against other STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis
- Condoms are very good at preventing these infections when used correctly
NOTE: You have to be on most PrEP medicines for at least one week before you can be sure that they’re working, and for at least three weeks if you are a cisgender woman or transgender man who has vaginal sex | You will also need an HIV test before restarting
Learn More – Primary Sources
There are many good websites with information people interested in learning more about PrEP. Here are a few:
JAMA: Preventing HIV With PrEP
CDC: PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)
International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (iapac.org): Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
New York State Department of Health
PleasePrEPMe (California State)
CDC: PrEP Is for Women (cdc.gov)
Commercial Support
This educational activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Gilead Sciences
Faculty Disclosures
Dr. Shuter has no relevant financial relationships to disclose
Dr. Felsen has no relevant financial relationships to disclose
Dr. Bernardo has no relevant financial relationships to disclose