What is PrEP?
How Does it work?
What is PrEp?
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis AKA PrEP is an antiretroviral medication taken to prevent HIV infections
PrEP is highly effective when taken as prescribed to prevent HIV
>74% efficacy among intravenous drug related exposures
~99% effective at preventing sexual transmission related exposures
Prep does not protect from other sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)
(Source CDC, 2022)
Did you know…
13% HIV positive people do not know they are infected (Source CDC, 2022)
Currently only 10% of those eligible get PrEP prescribed & inequities in access persist (Source Chan et al., 2020).
FDA Approved PrEP Medications
There are two FDA-approved pill PrEP medications: Truvada and Descovy. Each are taken once daily to prevent contracting HIV.
Truvada is an oral tablet containing 200 mg of emtricitabine and 300 mg of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate taken once daily
Descovy is 200 mg of emtricitabine and 25mg tenofovir alafenamide
There is one FDA-approved injectable PrEP medication: Apretude (cabotegravir). This is given as an injection every 2 months to prevent contracting HIV.
How does PrEP Work?
These oral and injection medications create an environment within the body which is toxic for the HIV virus and prevents it from being able to reproduce.
They do NOT work the same way as a vaccine and need to be taken regularly to prevent contracting HIV from repeated exposures.
They also will not protect you from other infections such as Hepatitis B or sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).
Did you know?
It is easier to reach and maintain HIV preventative levels within anal secretions when compared to vaginal and blood stream environments.
This means if your risk factors for contracting HIV involve exposures from vaginal sex OR injection drug use, taking the medication daily (for oral) and bimonthly (for injection) is imperative to maintain protection!