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PrEP
It's never been easier to get PrEP at Positive East
PrEP is medication that prevents HIV. It's free, it's safe, and you can now start it in one visit — with test results in 15 minutes.
Fastest · in person
Come to our PrEP clinic — 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 5–8:30pm. Chat to someone about PrEP, get tested (HIV results in 15 minutes, plus Hepatitis B and kidney tests) and leave with your prescription — no GUM clinic visit needed.
Book an appointmentFrom home
Live in North East London? Register, test at home with a kit in the post, and receive PrEP by mail.
How it works →NHS Clinics
PrEP is free on the NHS at any sexual health (GUM) clinic. We can contact clinics on your behalf.
Find a clinic offering PrEPPrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medication taken by HIV-negative people before and after sex to prevent HIV. If someone taking PrEP is exposed to HIV, the PrEP stops the virus entering their cells and replicating. It needs to be at high enough levels in the body to work so it's important to take it correctly.
PrEP protects you from HIV only. It does not protect you from other STIs or pregnancy.
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An HIV test to ensure you are HIV negative.
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A Hepatitis B test as PrEP drugs are also active against Hepatitis B, so people with Hep B need advice on the safest way to take PrEP.
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A kidney function blood test. This is a quick check for any pre-existing kidney issues that mean PrEP shouldn't be used or should be stopped.
These tests may be repeated after 6 weeks on PrEP. We do all three at your Positive East appointment.
There are different ways to take PrEP depending on the sex you are having and how regularly you are having it.
Take one pill at the same time each day for at least 7 days before you plan to have sex and continue to take this every day.
If you decide to stop taking PrEP as a daily pill, you’ll need to take one pill daily for seven days from the last time you had sex.
For vaginal and frontal sex: Take 2 tablets between 2 hours and 24 hours before sex. Then 1 tablet daily for the next 7 days.
For anal sex: Take 2 tablets between 2 and 24 hours before sex. Then 1 tablet daily for 2 days.
Always follow the instructions from your health care professionals and keep up the HIV and kidney function tests as advised.
For North East London residents in Barking & Dagenham, City & Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
A partnership between the local authorities, Positive East, The Love Tank, Preventx, All East and Homerton sexual health services.
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Questions about the sex you have, medications and medical conditions — answer as honestly as possible.
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Keep an eye out for follow-up questions from the SH.UK online clinical team.
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A kit arrives at your address: a finger-prick test for HIV, Hepatitis B and kidney function.
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Results come through the online portal or by text.
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Receive your PrEP by mail — refills in the following months through the same account.
Please note: you'll need your own UK phone number (they'll text you) and an address in one of the boroughs above — that's where the test kit and PrEP are sent.
Want help with the test kit, or concerns about PrEP arriving at your address? Find us in one of our clinics we can give you a kit and help collect the blood — or email prevention@positiveeast.org.uk or outreach@thelovetank.info.
See our clinics →Many studies across the world have shown that PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV. When taken correctly it is around 99% effective — see how to dose PrEP correctly above.
Yes — PrEP is safe and a trusted medication that has been used by people living with HIV for years. It's still important to monitor, as very rarely it can affect your kidneys: you'll need regular check-ups (typically every 3–6 months) for kidney function, HIV and STIs.
If you have pre-existing severe liver or kidney problems, you may need closer monitoring or an alternative type of PrEP — which is why the kidney function test comes before starting.
Most people who take PrEP don't experience side effects. When starting, some people have mild, temporary ones that usually resolve within days or weeks: nausea or diarrhoea, headaches or fatigue, or mild stomach pain. If side effects are unpleasant or don't subside, speak to a health service for advice.
Very rarely, long-term PrEP can affect kidneys or bone density. A small number of people with pre-existing kidney problems may be offered an alternative PrEP (TAF instead of the generic Truvada) — also considered for those with a history of weak bones. If affected, bone density returns to normal after stopping PrEP.
Yes! There are no interactions between PrEP and feminising or masculinising hormones, making it safe for trans people taking gender-affirming hormone medications. The same goes for menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) — PrEP can be safely used alongside it and both medications remain effective.
Yes — PrEP is completely safe while pregnant or breastfeeding and will not harm you or the baby. It doesn't affect your fertility if you're taking it while trying to get pregnant, and it's a great way to stay protected from HIV during this time. Speak to your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns about your or your baby's health.
Yes! PrEP works for everyone regardless of your gender, sexuality, who you have sex with or the type of sex you have. The only difference is how you take it: for receptive vaginal or frontal sex you take PrEP daily, or for 7 days after sex when event-based dosing — see how to take PrEP.
If you think PrEP would benefit you, you can access it through online, sexual health clinics, or at Positive East.
No — PrEP is only effective at preventing HIV. It does not protect from any other STIs or prevent pregnancy.
PrEP is free from the NHS at any sexual health clinic. You can also access it free online or by coming into Positive East. It’s possible to buy oral PrEP privately in the UK, but we recommend still consulting your doctor and keeping up kidney function tests, HIV/STI tests and regular check-ups.
Most countries allow you to travel with enough PrEP for personal use (usually up to a 3-month supply). Keep it in your hand luggage, carry your prescription and leave it in its original packaging to avoid issues at security.
Always check the laws of your destination — some countries have restrictions, for example only allowing a one-month supply. Check PrEP Map for country-by-country info. Some countries also have restrictions for people living with HIV and may mix up PrEP with HIV treatment; a letter from your doctor explaining PrEP is for HIV prevention might help.
Daily PrEP: take it as soon as you remember if it's within 12 hours of your usual time; if more than 12 hours, take your next tablet at the regular time rather than doubling up. Missing an occasional dose won't affect your protection provided you've taken at least 4–6 doses over the past week. If you miss more than two consecutive days, speak to the sexual health clinic.
Event-based PrEP: still take a missed pill as soon as you remember and continue as recommended. If you miss the before-sex double dose, take a double dose ASAP after sex and continue with single daily doses — better late than not at all! If you regularly miss doses, consider switching to daily PrEP so it becomes routine.
A pill box, a set time each day, or linking it to a daily routine like brushing your teeth can all help you remember.
You won't immediately lose protection — it drops over 7 days. To remain protected, take daily pills for at least 2 days after your last potential HIV exposure (sex on Friday means PrEP on Saturday and Sunday before stopping). If you have receptive vaginal or frontal sex, take a single dose every day for 7 sex-free days after the last time you had sex — then it's okay to stop.
No — PrEP, PEP and DoxyPEP are all different things, which can be confusing! PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is taken to prevent HIV. PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is taken within 72 hours after exposure to HIV to reduce the chances of becoming HIV positive. DoxyPEP is the antibiotic doxycycline, taken within 72 hours after sex to prevent syphilis and chlamydia when the likelihood of exposure is high — it's not effective against HIV or most strains of gonorrhoea in the UK.
PrEP clinic: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 5–8:30pm · The Mark Ashley Centre, 159 Mile End Road, E1 4AQ
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