If you don’t have HIV but have a high risk of contracting the virus, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may be an option for you. Taking this medication once a day can greatly reduce your chances of developing HIV.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP is a once daily medication to prevent the development of HIV cases. It is meant for people who don’t live with HIV but have higher chances of developing the condition.
PrEP helps lower the chances of developing HIV by protecting you and your partners from contracting the virus. It is not for people who already live with HIV.
Today, there are two specific FDA-approved antiviral medications for PrEP. If taken regularly, they are very effective in preventing HIV cases.
Read on to learn more about PrEP medications and how they help lower the chances of contracting HIV.
Drugs used for PrEP belong to a class of antiviral medications called nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). They work by stopping the virus from multiplying in your body.
Before starting PrEP, and at least every 3 months while you’re taking the medication, you will need to be tested for HIV and have a negative test result.
If you’ve been exposed to HIV or show symptoms of an acute case, you will wait to make sure you test negative before restarting on the PrEP medication.
It’s important to wait for a negative test result because PrEP cannot effectively treat HIV on its own, and drug resistance may develop if PrEP is taken during an HIV case.
Prevention counseling is another important part of PrEP. Before starting PrEP therapy, a healthcare professional can help you:
- better understand your chances of contracting HIV
- prevention methods
- why it might be beneficial to make PrEP part of your daily routine
The length of time you’ll take PrEP will depend on your individual health factors. Talk with a healthcare provider about your health experiences and how long you need to take PrEP.
The two approved PrEP medications are Truvada and Descovy.
Truvada
Truvada contains the active ingredients emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. It is available in both brand-name and generic forms.
Truvada comes in multiple strengths, and the dosage is prescribed for HIV treatment or PrEP.
It comes in tablet form and is taken once a day for adults and adolescents who weigh at least 35 kilograms (around 77 pounds). Truvada is approved for both males and females.
Descovy
Descovy is also a tablet that is taken once daily. It contains the ingredients emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide.
Descovy can be used by adults and adolescents who weight at least 35 kilograms (77 pounds). Descovy is not approved for use by females who have greater chances of developing HIV from vaginal sex because effectiveness has not been tested in this group.
According to the
People who may benefit from PrEP therapy are those who’ve had anal or vaginal sex in the last 6 months and people who:
- have a sexual partner who has HIV with a detectable viral load or an unknown viral load
- haven’t used a condom on a consistent basis during sex
- have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past 6 months
It is also recommended for people who inject drugs and:
- share needles (syringes)
- have an injection partner who has tested positive for HIV
If you have been prescribed post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) multiple times and continue to have higher chances of developing HIV, ask a healthcare professional about starting PrEP.
Pros and cons for HIV PrEP therapy
There can be many factors to consider when starting a new medication. Here are a few things to take into consideration when deciding if PrEP may be right for you:
Pros
- The medications are highly effective in preventing HIV cases when taken regularly.
- They can protect you and your partner from HIV transmission.
- It consists of one pill taken once daily, making it convenient.
- It’s discreet and allows individual control of prevention, which can be particularly empowering among people who have higher chances of contracting HIV.
- It is an option for serodiscordant people (mixed HIV status) who want to have a baby.
Cons
- Brand-name Truvada and Descovy can be expensive, especially without insurance.
- You need to remember to take it each day.
- You’ll have to undergo regular HIV testing (at least every 3 months).
- These medications can have side effects (see safety section below).
- It may not be right for you if you have a serious kidney condition or history of hepatitis B.
PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV when it is taken on a regular schedule as prescribed by a doctor.
According to the
However, the medications above are not effective right away. You need to take them daily for at least
With injection drug use or receptive vaginal sex, maximum protection occurs after around
Keep in mind that the effectiveness of Descovy among females who have receptive vaginal sex has not been proven.
Truvada and Descovy are generally safe, but some people may experience side effects. Some of these side effects may be serious.
Before starting Descovy or Truvada for PrEP, talk with a healthcare professional about any health conditions you have and the side effects and benefits of PrEP. For example, if you have serious kidney conditions, these medications may not be safe for you to take.
Also, if you’ve contracted hepatitis B in the past, let your doctor know. Stopping Truvada or Descovy may worsen a hepatitis B case.
A healthcare professional will monitor your liver function and can treat the hepatitis B case if it flares up.
It’s important not to take PrEP medications if you live with HIV. This is because the drug may become resistant to the virus if you take it while you live with HIV.
You will have a blood test done before starting the medication and will retest at least every 3 months while you’re taking it.
Possible side effects
Some common side effects of both medications include:
Rare but serious side effects of both include:
- rash (allergic reaction)
- liver and kidney problems
- worsening hepatitis B case
- lactic acidosis (too much lactic acid in the blood)
These are not all of the possible side effects of Truvada and Descovy. Ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist for more information about these medications, including interactions with other prescribed or over-the-counter medications you take.
If you experience an allergic reaction or other serious side effect to PrEP medications, call 911 or go to an emergency medical center right away.
Getting the conversation started
If you think you may have higher chances of developing HIV, it’s important to discuss this and the steps you can take for protection from HIV with a trained healthcare professional.
Here are some things you can do to get a meaningful discussion started:
- Learn about the chances of contracting HIV from reputable sources like the CDC.
- Write down questions you want to ask a counselor or healthcare professional.
- Be open and share your concerns about HIV and your health experience.
- Ask where you can get tested regularly.
- Ask about where you can get PrEP medications in your area.
- If you don’t have insurance, some state health departments offer free access to PrEP.
- Discuss how to share concerns with sexual partners about contracting HIV.
If you think you may have chances of contracting HIV, it’s important to get regular testing and talk with a counselor or healthcare professional about prevention steps you can take.
Part of your prevention strategy may involve taking PrEP. HIV PrEP is a highly effective medication regimen that can lower your chances of contracting HIV and transmitting the virus to your sexual partners.
Talk with a healthcare professional or make an appointment with a clinic that offers counseling on HIV prevention and your health.