Understanding Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

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How effective is pre-exposure prophylaxis?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is medicine taken to prevent getting HIV. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74%. PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed.

What is PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis)?

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a tablet that reduces the risk of becoming infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Each PrEP tablet contains two antiretroviral medications – tenofovir and emtricitabine. PrEP can be taken by people who are HIV-negative (do not have HIV) and at risk of HIV exposure.

When do I need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)?

If you have had a recent high-risk HIV exposure (within 72 hours) and missed PrEP around the time you had a recent high-risk HIV exposure (within 72 hours) and missed PrEP around the time that the high-risk exposure occurred you may need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Do I need post-exposure prophylaxis if I have HIV?

If you have had a recent risk of HIV exposure (within 72 hours) you may need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) before starting PrEP. PEP is a 28 day course of antiretroviral tablets that may prevent HIV infection. For more information, you can talk to your doctor or nurse or see: GET PEP.

What Is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

1. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/Pre-exposure-prophylaxis-PrEP
2. https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/hiv/prevention/pre-exposure-prophylaxis
3. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/prep/index.html
4. https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/july/prescribing-pre-exposure-prophylaxis-in-general-pr
5. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/pre-exposure-prophylaxis
6. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep
7. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-for-HIV-prevention
8. https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites/hiv/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-hiv
9. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hiv-pre-exposure-prophylaxis

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Information

1. https://shvic.org.au/for-you/prep-pre-exposure-prophylaxis
2. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/endinghiv/Documents/prep-patient-information-booklet.pdf
3. https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/clinical+resources/clinical+programs+and+practice+guidelines/infectious+disease+control/hiv+pre-exposure+prophylaxis/hiv+pre-exposure+prophylaxis+information+for+health+professionals
4. https://endinghiv.org.au/stay-safe/prep/
5. https://healthequitymatters.org.au/about-hiv/hiv-prevention/prep/