PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is an incredibly effective way of protecting your sexual wellbeing, but it’s still not as widespread as it should be. Many people who are at-risk for HIV delay taking PrEP because they’re unsure of how to get started. If you have questions about how to get PrEP, we’re here to help.
Understanding What PrEP Is (and Why It Matters)
PrEP is a daily medication that greatly lowers your risk of contracting HIV. If you don’t have HIV, PrEP reduces your risk of getting it by up to 99%.
A Quick Refresher on PrEP
Whether you’ve taken a break from PrEP or this is your first time using it, you’ll want to review the process. Here’s what you need to know about how to obtain PrEP.
Step 1: Schedule a Consultation
Like any other medication, it’s important to talk to a doctor before taking PrEP. PrEP is only prescribable in certain situations, and it doesn’t work well for people with certain health conditions. That’s why we’ll need to go over a few basics with you before you get started.
Talk to a Provider Who Knows PrEP
Not every doctor knows the ins and outs of PrEP. For the best experience, choose an LGBTQ-friendly provider who’s familiar with this medication and can answer all your questions.
Step 2: Complete Your Lab Work
Your doctor will have you get some labs done to check all the details that aren’t obvious just by looking at you. They’ll take a blood sample and send it off to a lab.
Checking Your Baseline Health
Lab tests help us make sure PrEP is safe for you and your health. These tests usually include:
- HIV tests
- Kidney function tests
- Hepatitis B tests
- Other STI tests
Step 3: Choose Your PrEP Type
Once you’ve been cleared to start PrEP, the next step is picking your medication type. PrEP is available in both a pill and an injectable form, and the right type will really just depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
Pill or Injectable? What Fits Your Life Best
Here are some things to keep in mind before you make your choice.
- Oral PrEP is usually more affordable and is covered by more insurance plans.
- Oral PrEP doesn’t require injections, so it’s ideal if you dislike needles.
- Injectable PrEP is easier if you think you’ll struggle to remember to take an oral medication every day.
- Injectable PrEP is not FDA-approved for those who are at-risk for HIV due to drug use.
Step 4: Get Your Prescription and Start PrEP
Once you’ve gotten the “okay” from your doctor and picked your medication type, you can get your prescription filled either online or at your local pharmacy.
The Simple Part of Starting PrEP
Taking PrEP is easy. All you need to do is take a pill each day or get your injection every two months. Remember, it can take 21 days of use for PrEP to reach maximum effectiveness in women and 7 days in men.
Step 5: Stay on Track With Regular Check-Ins
PrEP takes a lot of the stress out of sexual safety, but it doesn’t mean you can skip doctor’s appointments altogether. You’ll still need to get regular checkups to ensure you remain a good candidate for PrEP. We usually recommend checkups every three months.
Keeping Protection Long-Term
Once you’re on PrEP, you can take it for as long as you want or need to take it. Many people have been on PrEP for years without an issue. As long as you continue to get checkups, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of PrEP.
What If You Need to Pause or Restart PrEP?
Not everyone needs to be on PrEP all the time. If you’re not sexually active or not using injection drugs, it can be safe to pause your medication. Be sure to check in with us first, though, so we can help you start or stop PrEP safely.
Life Happens — Here’s What to Know
Keep these things in mind before making any changes to your PrEP schedule:
- You need to take PrEP for at least 28 days after your last exposure to be safe.
- If you take PrEP on a schedule not prescribed by a doctor, it’s not guaranteed to work as effectively.
- Before starting PrEP, you’ll need to get lab work done again.
- Starting and stopping PrEP won’t build up resistance or make the drug quit working.
Sign up for an online consultation with a PrEP expert from MISTR.