Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention
What is PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is an oral medication taken by HIV-negative people to protect them from contracting HIV.
When taken daily, or on-demand under the advice of a doctor, PrEP is up to 99% effective at preventing HIV.
View transcript
Video courtesy Thorne Harbour Health
When to take PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
Currently approved PrEP is a single tablet that contains 2 HIV antiretroviral (ART) medications used to treat HIV. It is usually taken daily.
PrEP can also be taken when you need it (known as PrEP on-demand). It is important to see a GP for guidance on how to follow the strict dosage instructions for protection against HIV.
Remember, PrEP isn’t for everyone and there are other HIV prevention options available.
What PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is used for
PrEP is for HIV-negative people at risk of HIV infection. This includes:
Men who have sex with men without
using a condom
.
Having a sexual partner who has HIV and is not on treatment, or are at high risk of getting HIV.
People who are sexually active and inconsistently use condoms.
Your circumstances and your risk of being exposed to HIV should all play a role in deciding whether PrEP is right for you.
Speak with your doctor to see if PrEP is your best option to prevent HIV.
Where to get PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
PrEP medication is on the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
.
All GPs (doctors) in Australia can prescribe PrEP. If you have a
Medicare
External Link
card, it can be purchased at a subsidised cost from pharmacies, with a valid prescription. (Some pharmacies may need to order the medication in, which may take a few days.)
If you do not have a Medicare card, or cannot afford the subsidised cost, PrEP can be imported through online pharmacies. More information is available from PAN (PrEP Access Now) or the Victorian PrEP Service at the Alfred Hospital (PrEPME Clinic) on
1800 889 887
.
If your doctor is unfamiliar with PrEP or what’s involved in prescribing it, they can call the Victorian PrEP Service at Alfred Hospital, on
1800 889 887
.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) effectiveness
Studies show that PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV when taken consistently as prescribed. It can reduce the risk of getting HIV by up to 99%.
Possible PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) side effects
Most people who take PrEP don’t experience side effects. Some may have mild effects that usually usually disappear within the first month. These include:
nausea
loss of appetite
headaches
.
A small proportion of people on PrEP may develop
kidney damage
. So it is very important to have kidney tests every 6 months when taking PrEP.
If you have any concerns about side effects, see your doctor.
Important things to know about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
At your first appointment and before starting PrEP, your doctor will check your health and organise some tests including:
an HIV test
a full
sexually transmissible infection (STI)
test
kidney and liver function tests.
You will also receive information about how to reduce your risk of HIV infection.
PrEP must be taken as prescribed for maximum effective protection.
Visit your doctor every 3 months while on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
See your GP
every 3 months
for repeat HIV and STI tests and for a new PrEP prescription.
PrEP can have some side effects, so work with your doctor to monitor your general health.
PrEP does not protect against other
sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
such as –
syphilis
,
gonorrhoea
and
chlamydia
.
Condoms and lubricant can provide protection against and reduce the risk of spreading an STI.
It is important to have a sexual health test every 3 months while on PrEP, even if you have no symptoms.
PrEP Access
Now
External Link
has more information on where to get PrEP and how much it costs.
How long to take PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
The length of time people need to be on PrEP medication depends on their personal circumstances.
People may stop taking PrEP if:
Their risk of HIV infection becomes low because of lifestyle changes.
They don’t want to take medication every day or often forget to take their medication.
Other ways of preventing HIV infection
may work better for you.
Medication side effects are interfering with their life.
Blood tests
show the body is reacting to PrEP medication in unsafe ways.
Your doctor may decide there are other options.
Stopping PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
Talk with your doctor if you are having trouble remembering to take your medication or if you want to stop PrEP.
It is important to make sure that you continue taking PrEP for 28 days after your last potential exposure to HIV before ceasing it.
Other HIV prevention options
There are many easy and effective ways to prevent HIV. Other than PrEP, HIV transmission can also be prevented by:
Using condoms
(including
female or internal condoms
) with water or silicone-based lubricant during anal or vaginal sex.
Although there is a low risk of HIV transmission during
oral sex
, using
external condoms on penises
or dental dams on vulvas and anuses. This can also help to reduce the risk of other STIs from being passed on.
Using clean, sterile injecting equipment.
Achieving and maintaining “undetectable” HIV viral loads (U=U) if you have HIV by taking HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART) as prescribed.
Getting regular sexual health checks.
Taking post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
– if you think you have been exposed to HIV.
Depending on your risk factors and lifestyle, you may be more suited to other HIV prevention methods. It is important to find the right prevention method (or combination of methods) that works for you and your sexual partners.
Speak to your GP or sexual health clinician for more information.
Thorne Harbour
Health
External Link
(formerly the Victorian AIDS Council) and PrEP Access Now has more information on PrEP.
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
Your local community health service
PAN (PrEP Access
Now)
External Link
Victorian PrEP and NPEP Service, Alfred
Health
External Link
– information line Tel 1800 889 887 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)
Sexual Health Victoria
(SHV)
External Link
. To book an appointment call SHV Melbourne CBD Clinic:
(03) 9660 4700
or call SHV Box Hill Clinic:
(03) 9257 0100
or (free call):
1800 013 952
. These services are youth friendly.
Melbourne Sexual Health
Centre
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9341 6200
or
1800 032 017
or TTY (for the hearing impaired)
(03) 9347 8619
Get
PEP
External Link
If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV. Tel.
1800 889 887
Living Positive
Victoria
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9863 8733
Positive Women
Victoria
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9863 8747
Victorian HIV Service, Alfred
Health
External Link
Tel.
1800 889 887
Positive Living
Centre
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9863 0444
or
1800 622 795
(for country callers)
Multicultural Health and Support
Service
External Link
, Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health Tel.
(03) 9418 9929
Thorne Harbour
Health
External Link
(formerly Victorian AIDS Council) Tel.
(03) 9865 6700
or
1800 134 840
Equinox Gender Diverse Health
Centre
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9416 2889
PRONTO!
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9416 2889
Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health
Clinic
External Link
Tel.
(03) 5338 4500
Bendigo Community Health Sexual Health
Clinic
External Link
Tel.
(03) 5434 4300
Or
(03) 5448 1600
Gateway Health Clinic
35
External Link
, Wodonga Tel.
(02) 6022 8888
or
1800 657 573
Sunraysia Community Health
Services
External Link
Tel.
(03) 5022 5444
Barwon Health Sexual Health
Clinic
External Link
Tel.
(03) 5226 7489
Women’s sexual and reproductive health hubs
(throughout Victoria)