PrEP and nPEP
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“PrEP” stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is the newest and most promising biomedical HIV prevention intervention to date. For people who are HIV-negative and at risk for HIV infection, PrEP is a way to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. If you take PrEP and are exposed to HIV, these medicines can work to keep the virus from taking hold in your body.
With an HIV prevention rate of 92-99%, PreP is a game-changing prevention tool with the potential to dramatically impact rates of new HIV infection and possibly even bring an end to HIV.
If you opt to start PrEP, you must be able to take the drug every day and to return to your health care provider every 3 months for a repeat HIV test, bloodwork, prescription refills, and follow-up care.
Some people in clinical studies of PrEP had early side effects such as an upset stomach or loss of appetite, but these were mild and usually went away within the first month. Some people also had a mild headache. No serious side effects were observed. Alert your healthcare provider if these or other symptoms become severe or do not go away.
Most insurances cover PrEP. Those who do not have insurance coverage may qualify for assistance. There are also assistance programs for those who have high insurance copays.
Getting Started on PrEP
To get started on PrEP, talk to your Mazzoni Center provider, or contact our Navigation specialists: Navigation Contact Form
nPEP (Post-exposure to HIV medication)
If you need to prevent HIV after a single high-risk event of potential HIV exposure (sex without a condom, needle-sharing injection drug use, or sexual assault) you can start a course of PEP. PEP must begin within 72 hours of exposure, before the virus has time to make too many copies of itself in your body. PEP consists of 2-3 antiretroviral medications and must be taken for 28 days. Your doctor will determine what treatment is right for you based on how you were exposed to HIV. You will be asked to return for follow-up appointments and additional HIV testing.
PEP is safe but may cause side effects such as nausea in some people. These side effects can be treated and are not life threatening. PEP is not 100% effective; it does not guarantee that someone exposed to HIV will not become infected with HIV.
You should be evaluated for PEP at an in-person appointment with a health care provider. If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, you can call the office during business hours for assistance getting a timely appointment. If you need PEP during a time when the office is closed, you should go to the nearest urgent care clinic or emergency room.
Because PEP is not 100% effective, you should continue to use condoms with sex partners while taking PEP and should not share injection equipment with others. This will help avoid spreading the virus to others if you become infected. If you have repeated exposures to HIV, you should consider PrEP.
Most insurances cover PEP. Those who do not have insurance coverage may qualify for assistance.
Getting Started on nPEP
To get started on PEP, talk to your Mazzoni Center provider