HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medicine given to people who are at high risk of getting HIV. They are up to 99% effective in preventing a HIV infection.
When you have been exposed to potentially HIV infected body fluids and your exposure was less than 72 hours ago, see your doctor immediately about starting PEP.
Factors that can increase the risk of HIV infection include:
These medicines have to be started within 72 hours after possible infection/exposure. They are taken twice a day for 1 month.
The side effects vary from person to person and also depend on which medicines are used.
Tablets to prevent HIV – PrEP
PrEP is simply a tablet taken daily that reduces a person’s risk of contracting HIV. It’s that simple. The tablet most studied for use as PrEP contains 2 medicines and its called TRUVADA®.
We must bear in mind that like every other method of HIV prevention, PrEP is not failsafe. It is one of the many weapons in our current arsenal to reduce the burden of HIV on the world. Other prevention methods include:
What are the side effects of PrEP?
Minor side effects such as nausea, headache and weight loss are possible. Major side effects like effects on the kidney and bone density are rare.
In my personal experience prescribing PrEP, I have not come across anything more than some minor nausea.