You can safely prevent HIV transmission with PrEP
PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medication taken by HIV-negative people before and after sex to reduce the risk of getting HIV. PrEP only protects you from HIV and does not protect you from any other STIs, or pregnancy.
PrEP is available for free on the NHS through local sexual health (GUM) clinics. You can find a list of clinics offering PrEP in England here. Positive East can also support you with accessing PrEP, by contacting clinics on your behalf.
Before starting PrEP you will need to:
- Test for HIV to ensure you are HIV negative
- Have a kidney function blood test – note that the PrEP available on the NHS is not suitable for those with kidney function issues
These tests may be repeated after you have been taking PrEP for 6 weeks.
How to take PrEP
There are different ways to take PrEP depending on the sex you are having and how regularly you are having unprotected sex:
Daily PrEP
Some people take one pill of PrEP daily – at the same time every 24 hours.
Always follow the instructions from the healthcare professionals and undertake the HIV and kidney function tests as advised
Event based PrEP
The dosing routine depends on the type of sex you are having:
- If you’re having receptive vaginal or frontal sex, you can take 2 pills 2-24 hours before sex, and then take 1 pill a day for 7 days after sex.
- If you have sex for more than 1 day, you can continue taking one pill every 24 hours for the next 7 days after you last had sex
- For anal sex, or penetrative vaginal/frontal sex you can take 2 pills between 2 to 24 hours before sex, then 1 pill a day for 2 days after sex.
- For example, if you plan to have sex around 7pm on Friday, you will need to take two pills between 7pm on Thursday and 5pm on Friday. You will then take a follow up pill on7pm on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday.
- If you have continue having sex for more than one day, you can continue taking one pill every 24 hours for the two days after you last had sex.
Always follow the instructions from the healthcare professionals and undertake the HIV and kidney function tests as advised.
