HIV PrEP/PEP
Doxy-PEP
HIV PrEP
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body.
WHY TAKE PrEP?
When taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of HIV transmission through sex by approximately 99% and by at least 74% for people who inject drugs. However, its effectiveness decreases significantly if not taken consistently.
​​
Doxy-PEP
​
Doxy-PEP helps prevent you from getting STIs by taking the antibiotic doxycycline after sex. It is like a morning-after pill but for STIs. Taking doxy-PEP reduces your chance of acquiring syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia by about 66%.
HOW TO TAKE DOXY-PEP
Two 100 mg pills of doxycycline should be taken ideally within 24 hours but no later than 72 hours after condomless sex. Condomless sex means oral, anal or vaginal sex where a condom isn’t used for the entire time.
HIV PEP
PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, involves taking HIV medication within 72 hours after potential exposure to HIV to prevent infection.
PEP is intended for emergency situations and is not designed for regular use by individuals frequently at risk of HIV exposure. It should not replace other HIV prevention methods, such as consistent and correct condom use or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
WHO SHOULD TAKE PEP?
PEP can be prescribed for individuals who are HIV-negative or unsure of their HIV status and have had a potential exposure to HIV within the past 72 hours, such as:
-
During sexual activity
-
Through sharing needles or other drug injection equipment
-
Following a sexual assault
-
Due to occupational exposure to HIV at work