PrEP & PEP

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) are antiretroviral medications used to prevent HIV, but they are used at different times: PrEP is for people at future risk of exposure (daily or by injection), while PEP is for emergencies (taken up to 72 hours after a possible exposure and lasts 28 days). Both are highly effective, but PrEP is a long-term strategy and PEP is a one-time rescue treatment to prevent infection.

What is PrEP?

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication that helps prevent the acquisition of HIV.

Who can take it?

People at high risk of HIV infection (people with multiple sexual partners, people who engage in sex work, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, among others).

How do we provide it?

You attend an evaluation appointment and if you meet the requirements, you are provided with a bottle of 30 pills.

Your first appointment.

At your first appointment, you will see a nurse and they will do some rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Then you will go to the doctor who will ask you several questions and complete your medical history and if you are a candidate for the medication, it will be prescribed to you and provided that same day. At that first appointment you will receive medication for 30 days.

Subsequently, in a little less than 30 days you will have your second appointment, in which you will be tested for HIV again and it will be assessed if you have tolerated the medication. If so, the doctor will give you medication for 2 or 3 months.

What is PEP?

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication taken after possible exposure to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to prevent transmission.

Who should take it?

People who have had high-risk sexual contact and are in emergency situations. PEP  must be taken within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV and continued for 28 days.

How do we provide it?

We provide a bottle with 30 pills and people at high risk of having been exposed to HIV take one pill daily.

Your URGENT appointment.

At your urgent appointment you will see a nurse and they will do some rapid tests for HIV, and some other STIs. Afterwards you will see the doctor who will take a medical history and assess whether you are a candidate for the medication. After having consumed a PEP pill for 28 days you will have your second appointment, where you will be tested for HIV again. The doctor will talk to you about your options and if you are appropriate for PrEP you can start your treatment with PrEP.