PrEP & PEP Treatments
PrEP and PEP Treatments Create Peace of Mind
As a critical part of the sexual health services offered at 26Health, PrEP and PEP treatments protect you pre- and post-exposure to HIV. According to the CDC, when taken correctly, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV through sex by 99%. PEP is effective when taken within 72 hours of possible exposure, but as the CDC says, the sooner you take it the better it works. Both of these treatments are free: we take insurance if you have it, and if you don’t, we work with a co-pay assistance program to pay for your medication for 365 days. Don’t let cost be a barrier to protecting yourself!
PrEP Treatments
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a HIV disease control and prevention strategy that involves taking HIV medication to keep the virus from replicating throughout your body after possible exposure. PrEP is not a cure for HIV, but it is an FDA approved preventative. PrEP does not protect you against other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy, which is why you should always use condoms..
At 26Health, we recommend that all of our sexually active patients get PrEP, since it has been proven safe for long-term use and is one of the most successful tools for fighting the spread of HIV. PrEP is only for patients who do not have any serious health problems and have tested HIV-negative; in fact, part of the PrEP protocol involves visiting 26Health every 3 months to be tested for HIV and other STIs before getting a refill of your medication.
PEP Treatments
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the preventative strategy of taking HIV medication within 72 hours of possible exposure to the virus to stop the virus from replicating and spreading in your body. PEP is to be used in emergency situations–like sexual assault, or a broken condom–rather than on a regular basis, like PrEP. The PEP treatment involves taking a course of medication for 28 days, once or twice daily. Once you complete the medication, you’ll come back into our clinic to be tested for HIV, and to start PrEP treatment.
What is PrEP, the HIV Prevention Pill?
Who should use PrEP?
It has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection through sexual contact for all people. Studies have shown that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken daily. If you are sexually active, get PrEP.
How does PrEP work?
PrEP involves taking a pill once a day, every day. The medication affects HIV’s ability to copy itself in your body and stops it from starting an infection and making you sick.
When taken daily, PrEP takes at least 7 days to reach maximum protection for rectal tissue, and 20 days for blood or vaginal tissues.
PrEP cannot be used as a method to protect yourself against other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy, and it is not a cure for HIV.
What should I expect if I’m on PrEP?
The requirements are simple and worth the minimal effort required.
- Visit your 26Health Primary Care Provider every 3 months to refill meds, get STI/STD testing, and get an HIV test.
- Take the pill every day.
How do I get PrEP?
26Health will connect you with resources to make sure PrEP is accessible and affordable for you. 26Health provides screenings for all our patients to see if PrEP is the right choice for you.
If you don’t have insurance, there are programs that can help pay for visits and even for PrEP itself, like the PrEP Medication Assistance Program. Also, if you don’t have insurance, 26Health has staff who can help you enroll.
To find out if PrEP is for you, request an appointment today.