PrEP to Prevent HIV
PrEP is a medication that is highly effective at preventing HIV. Learn if PrEP may be right for you, how to get a prescription, how to pay for it, and more.
PrEP to Prevent HIV
PrEP is a medication that is highly effective at preventing HIV. Learn if PrEP may be right for you, how to get a prescription, how to pay for it, and more.
What is PrEP?
PrEP, short for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication that helps prevent HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP lowers your risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%. PrEP is taken by HIV-negative people to prevent HIV and remain HIV-negative. It’s only available by prescription, not over the counter.
PrEP is not for people who are living with or may have been exposed to HIV.
You may have also heard of PEP. The names PrEP and PEP so similar, so it can be confusing! While PrEP is taken to prevent HIV, PEP is taken after exposure to HIV. If you have been very recently exposed to HIV, learn more about whether PEP may be right for you.
Find out if PrEP can be part of your sexual health plan with this short quiz and find a PrEP provider near you.
Is PrEP right for me?
Whether or not PrEP works for your sexual health needs is up to you. You may want to consider PrEP if you are HIV negative and:
- Have a difficult time getting or using condoms regularly, or you don’t use condoms during sex
- Have sex with more than one partner and don’t know their HIV status
- Are in a sexual relationship with someone who is HIV-positive and has an unknown or detectable viral load
- Inject drugs, have sex, or share needles, syringes, and/or other drug injection equipment with someone who is HIV-positive, or whose HIV status you do not know
- Want to add an extra layer of protection against HIV on top of other precautions you are already taking
- Have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 6 months
- Have been prescribed PEP multiple times
How is PrEP taken?
There are two ways you can take PrEP:
- Daily pill: There are two PrEP pills available under the trademarks Truvada® and Descovy®. There are also generic versions of Truvada® available in the United States. These pills must be taken every day to be most effective.
- Injectable: Injectable PrEP, or Apretude® (also known by its generic name cabotegravir) is given six times per year. To make sure it’s administered properly, it’s given by a health care provider. It is injected into your buttocks once a month for the first two months, and then once every other month after that.
Talk with your health care provider about the best choice for you. Some options may be better for you if you have other health conditions, like high cholesterol or blood pressure. For example, Truvada® may be better for someone with high cholesterol, while Descovy® or Apretude® may be better for someone with kidney disease.
For both forms of PrEP, you must get tested for HIV and be negative before you can start taking it. For Apretude, you also must be tested for HIV and be HIV negative before each injection.
Does PrEP prevent other STIs or viral hepatitis?
PrEP does not prevent other STIs, viral hepatitis, or pregnancy. That’s why PrEP shouldn’t be the only part of your sexual health routine. Learn more about DoxyPEP to prevent STIs, vaccines for hepatitis and HPV, and other ways to prevent HIV and STIs.
How can I get a prescription for PrEP?
If you’ve decided PrEP could be right for you, the first step to getting a prescription is to talk with a health care provider.
Not sure where to find a health care provider who prescribes PrEP? Check out the service provider map to find a PrEP provider near you.
Here are a few conversation starters you can use with your health care provider:
- “I’ve researched HIV prevention strategies, and PrEP seems best for me.”
- “I use condoms but want the extra protection that PrEP provides.”
- “My condom use is not always the best, so PrEP provides the safety net I need.”
Another way to start the conversation is to complete the confidential, 5-minute PrEP quiz and then print, copy, or screenshot your responses to share with your health care provider.
How can I pay for PrEP?
Most health insurance plans, including MassHealth and Medicare, usually cover some or all of the cost of PrEP. If you don’t have insurance, or need help with your insurance copayments, there are programs to help. Learn more about paying for PrEP.
What should I expect at an appointment for PrEP?
Below are tips for how to prepare and what to expect when starting PrEP:
Things to bring to your appointment
- Your license or photo ID
- Proof of health insurance (if you have insurance)
- Prescription insurance card (if separate from health insurance card)
- List of medications you currently take (both prescribed and over-the-counter)
- List of medication allergies
During your appointment
Your health care provider may conduct a routine physical exam during your visit, which may include tests for HIV, STIs, and kidney function. They may also ask you questions about your medical and sexual history, such as:
- Have you recently experienced a potential exposure to HIV?
- You must be HIV-negative to use PrEP. Talk to your health care provider about whether it is possible to get your PrEP prescription while you are waiting for your test results.
- Do you have anal or vaginal sex without a condom?
- Do any of your partners have sex with other people without a condom?
- Have you or any of your partners had an STI in the past six months?
- Are any of your partners HIV-positive and not undetectable?
- Do you use drugs before or during sex?
- Do you or any of your partners share needles or works?
- Do you have sex for money, drugs, a place to stay, or anything else you need?
In addition, a health care provider may ask why you’re interested in PrEP and may discuss potential side effects and common misperceptions.
You must be HIV-negative to use PrEP. Talk to your doctor about whether it is possible to get your PrEP prescription while you are waiting for your test results.
Will I need follow-up appointments?
Once you start taking PrEP as a part of your sexual health routine, you’ll need to follow up with your health care provider as recommended to repeat HIV and STI testing. If you choose injectable PrEP, you’ll need to visit your health care provider for injections every other month. Talk to your health care provider about scheduling appointments in advance so that there’s no disruption to your routine.
What are the side effects of PrEP?
PrEP has been determined to be safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Both the injectable and pill form can cause some side effects.
It’s common to experience side effects during the first few weeks of taking the pill form of PrEP. These can include loss of appetite, vomiting, headache, nausea, rash, dizziness, fatigue, and other stomach issues.
Side effects of Apretude (injectable PrEP) can include headaches, fever, fatigue, back pain, muscle aches, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, and reactions at the injection site. Side effects usually last only a few days after your injection.
Your health care provider may prescribe Vocabria, an oral form of cabotegravir, the same drug used in Apretude, daily for four weeks before starting Apretude to see how well you tolerate the medication.
Usually, side effects go away over time. However, no matter which form of PrEP you take, you should always talk to your health care provider if you’re experiencing severe side effects.
What if I stop taking PrEP?
The pill form of PrEP stops providing protection from HIV within a few weeks of when you stop taking it. The injectable form of PrEP stops providing protection within a year of when you stop taking it. It’s important to talk to your health care provider if you decide to quit using PrEP, so you can make a plan together for HIV prevention.
Looking for sexual health services?
Find low- to no-cost sexual health services near you, like PrEP, STI testing, and more on the Service Locator Map.
Is PrEP right for you?
PrEP is a medication that helps prevent HIV. Take a short quiz to find out if it may be right for you.