Get Protected from HIV: PrEP and PEP

When it comes to protecting yourself from HIV, you have several biomedical options (In addition to condoms):

• Truvada (F/TDF)
• Descovy (F/TAF)
• Apretude (Cab-LA)
• Jump to PrEP Comparison Tool in English and in Spanish

Image courtesy of BluPrint

How to get PrEP:

1. Choose how you want to get PrEP:

• See a medical provider at a clinic:
  • Click here to find a PrEP provider and select or search for “PrEP.”
• Coming soon: get a Free PrEP lab kit sent to your home through Take Me Home.
• Having a video visit with a tele-health PrEP service:
  • PlushCare’s PrEP Program
  • Nurx PrEP Online
  • QCare+  (for Descovy only)

2. Tell your provider you want to start PrEP when you make the appointment. Availability of same-day PrEP varies by location. Please ask if this is an option when you call to make your appointment.

• At the visit, the provider will ask:
  • If you might have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours. (In that case, you would need PEP…see below).
  • If you have had flu-like symptoms in the past 4-6 weeks.
  • If you have ever been told that you have kidney problems or Hepatitis B infection. (You can still get PrEP, but your provider will need more information first.)
• The provider will offer an HIV test to make sure you’re HIV negative. Some providers offer a rapid HIV test using fingerstick blood or oral fluid. Other providers may require a visit to a lab for testing.

3. Get your PrEP! 

• If the HIV test is negative and your provider doesn’t have any medical concerns, you can get your PrEP! Access to same-day PrEP varies by location. You might get a prescription for pills to fill at a pharmacy or if indicated, you may get a starter pack of pills until you can get to pharmacy. Please note: access to Apretude injectable PrEP can be a lengthy process.
• Choose how you want to take PrEP
  • For Injectable PrEP (given by a shot in the buttock), your first shot will last for 4 weeks. After your second shot, you will continue shots every 8 weeks.
  • For Oral PrEP (taken by mouth), you’ll get a prescription for either 30 or 90 days.
    • If anal sex is the only way you might get exposed to HIV, you have a few options: 
      • Get generic Truvada (F/TDF)
        • Start taking one pill a day every day – you will be protected from HIV after 7 days.
        • OR start with 2 pills on the first day, then one pill every day – you will be protected in 24 hours.
        • OR use 2-1-1 dosing only when you are going to have sex – you will be protected between 2-24 hours before you have sex as long as you remember your doses after sex too!
      • Get Descovy (F/TAF)
        • Start taking one pill a day every day – you will be protected from HIV after 7 days.
• If you have vaginal/front hole sex or share injection equipment, you will need to take generic Truvada (F/TDF) every day. 

PrEP Comparison Tool in English and in Spanish

4. Get the rest of your PrEP labs done. If your blood was not drawn at the clinic, you’ll need to complete a few more tests. You’ll need to get them done within about 7 days of your visit to make sure it is safe to continue taking PrEP.

5. Make a plan for getting refills.

• Pick up from a pharmacy.
• Pick it up from your clinic.
• Get it delivered by mail (ask your pharmacy if they offer this).
• Get if delivered by a driver (check out Alto Pharmacy for this option).

6. Make a plan for follow up visits. Talk with your provider about when you should come back for another appointment (usually in 1-3 months); ask about doing a video/phone visit in the future if that’s easier for you. 

How to get PEP:

If you have been exposed to HIV through sex or needles in the past 3 days, you can get a medication to prevent getting HIV. This is urgent (the sooner, the better!) so find the nearest available PEP provider and follow these steps:

1. Click here to find a PEP provider and select or search for “pep.”
2. Call the number directly (to avoid any delays) and say “I might have been exposed to HIV and I am looking for PEP.”
3. Follow their directions for an appointment – if they can’t get you an appointment within 3 days of when you were exposed, go to the nearest emergency room instead (and use the same language listed above). 
4. Get an HIV test, PEP labs, and prescription for PEP on the same day.
5. Get your PEP medications and start taking them right away. You will need to take PEP every day for 28 days to get full protection.
6. Talk about a plan for starting PrEP as soon as you finish PEP.
7. Go to your follow up visit after you finished PEP to recheck labs and start PrEP.