PrEP and PEP: What’s the difference?

Want to learn more about how you can help prevent HIV or certain STDs/STIs? There are medications that can help protect you and your partner(s). Find out more about the difference between PrEP, PEP, and DoxyPEP, and whether they might be right for you.

Want to learn more about whether these medications are right for you? Find a trusted healthcare provider who can help.

	PrEP	PEP	DOXYPEP
What’s this medication for?	PrEP helps prevent HIV infection before exposure	PEP helps prevent HIV infection after potential exposure	DoxyPEP helps prevent bacterial STDs/STIs (like syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea) after potential exposure
Does it prevent HIV?	Yes	Yes	No
Does it prevent STDs/STIs?	No	No	Yes
When should I start taking it?	Before exposure	Within 24 hours after exposure, up to 72 hours	Within 24 hours after exposure, up to 72 hours
How do I take this medication and for how long?	Pills taken daily OR injection given by healthcare provider every 2 months	Pills taken for 28 days after exposure	Pills taken as a single dose after exposure
Do I need a prescription?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Who should use this medication?	People without HIV who may be exposed to HIV through sex or shared needles, syringes, or other drug use equipment	People without HIV who have had a potential exposure to HIV through sex or injection drug use	Gay, bisexual, other men who have sex with men, and transgender women who had a bacterial STD/STI within the past 12 months