PrEP
💊
PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
This means that it's a medication taken by HIV-negative people to prevent HIV transmission.
It has two different active ingredients Tenofovir and Emtricitabine, which are both anti-retroviral medications.
how to take PrEP 🙎
When you start PrEP it’s important to have a chat about which option is best for you. You can go daily or on-demand. Both work really well so have a think about how frequently you have sex and how far you can plan ahead.
daily PrEP ⏰
Daily PrEP is the most common way of taking PrEP. If you're getting regular action it's a great way to stay covered. It’s also good if you’re into more spontaneous sex. You can take a tablet daily and know that you're protected 24/7
on-demand PrEP ⏱️
On-demand PrEP is another super safe way of taking PrEP. Rather than taking PrEP every day, it involves planning your PrEP around a specific event. On-demand PrEP is only recommended for cisgender men having sex with other men.
your PrEP questions answered 🤷
How well does it work? 🎉
Really well!
We've done big clinical studies in the medical world to determine how well it works
If you take it every day, it's 99% effective. This means that your risk of HIV transmission from someone who is HIV positive is reduced by 99%.
Are there side effects? 🤮
Like most medications, PrEP can give some side effects that we we sometimes see, but most are minor, short-lived and reversible.
EARLY SIDE EFFECTS:
When first starting PrEP some people can get some stomach upset, nausea, mild headaches or insomnia. For most people, these side effects settle down pretty quickly as your body gets used to the medication. If you are concerned about ongoing side effects, check in with your GP.
LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS:
There are some rare long term side effects that have been associated with taking PrEP. PrEP can occasionally cause a minor reduction in kidney function and in some people a very minor reduction in bone density. Both of these side effects have been shown to reverse completely when stopping PrEP and for most people don't cause any issues. However, if you have low bone density or reduced kidney function prior to starting PrEP it's important to talk to your GP - you may need some more advice around taking PrEP.
What about other STIs? 🐛
An important thing to know about PrEP: it only protects you against HIV. Condoms are still super useful at preventing other STIs.
The final part of good sexual health is regular STI screening. PrEP users are required to get STI screening, as well as a check of their kidney function every 3 months. This lines up perfectly with picking up your PrEP script.
Where can I get it? 🏥
If you have a Medicare Card you can get a script from your GP to get access the medication at your local pharmacy.
If you don't have a Medicare Card you can still get PrEP! Find out more info on how to get PrEP without Medicare.