HIV Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a combination of 2 HIV medicines, sold under the name of Truvada (Tenofovir and Emtricitabine), when taken daily lowers the chances of a very high-risk HIV negative individual from getting infected with HIV.
Do not mistake this for Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) which is taken for 28 days after potential exposure to the HIV virus.
The precept is simple, take one pill a day and you are protected from getting HIV.
Also Read: A Guide To HIV PrEP And HIV PEP – Pills For HIV Prevention

7 Frequently Asked Questions on HIV Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP):

1) How effective is HIV Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)?

When used daily, it can lower the risk of getting HIV from sexual intercourse by 99%.
The protection against getting HIV from sharing needles is lower at about 70%.
Being on PrEP is NOT AN EXCUSE for going bareback. Using a condom further reduces the risk of getting HIV. Also, PrEP does NOT protect against other STDs. But condoms DO!
Also, remember that medicines work only if they are taken properly.
Also Read: STD Symptoms – That You Need to Know 

2) How to Take HIV Pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

a. Event-Based HIV Dosing

On-Demand PrEP Regimen: 
Planned condom-less sex 24 hours in advance:
Strictly:

• take 2 pills 2 – 24 hours before sex
• take 1 pill on the day of sex
• take 1 pill 24 hours later

If having sex for an extended period of time, perhaps over a few days or a weekend, continue to take a pill every 24 hours until you have 2 sex-free days.

Type: 

• Only for Anal sex
• More studies required to show effectiveness in Vaginal/Frontal sex

Considerations:

• This option is not recommended if you have an active hepatitis B infection. The drugs in PrEP also suppress the hepatitis B virus and so starting and stopping HIV PrEP can potentially cause viral flare-ups and liver inflammation.

b. Daily PrEP

c. Ts and Ss (Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun dosing)

Ts and Ss Regimen:

• Daily dosing for 7 days,
• then dropping down to 4 pills per week on Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun

Type: 

• Only for Anal sex
• More studies required to show effectiveness in Vaginal/Frontal sex

Considerations:

• If you only have sex once or twice a month, you might not want to take a pill every day.
• 4 pills per week will maintain a good baseline of the drug in your system and you can choose to increase up to daily 7 pills per week when you know you’re in a more sexually active period.
• Some people using PrEP On Demand find that they might be taking 4 pills per week most weeks of the month and so opt for structuring this into the Ts and Ss instead.

d. Holiday PrEP

3. Who should consider HIV Pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)?

• If your partner is living with HIV
• If you are not is a mutually monogamous relationship
• If you have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months

4. How long after initiation of HIV PrEP will it then provide protection?

The general rule is that you have to be on PrEP for 7 days before you are protected.
There are ways to speed this up and there are circumstances when this is longer. Please check with our doctor when you consult for your PrEP prescription.
Also Read: When To Test For HIV During Or After Completing HIV PEP

5. What are the side effects of HIV PrEP? Is it safe to take it long term?

PrEP is relatively safe. When side effects do occur, most common symptoms are nausea and diarrhoea. Generally, these symptoms usually subside over time. No serious side effects have been recorded and the side effects are never life-threatening.
However, if you do develop side effects that are not improving with time, please contact the doctor that prescribed you the PrEP.

6. How can I purchase PrEP?

You will need to consult a doctor first and he may go through with you your risks based on the type of sexual behaviour. The doctor will also run some blood tests, including HIV, Hepatitis screen, and other blood tests such as full blood count, kidney function test and liver function test. If there are no contraindications, the doctor will then prescribe you PrEP.
Learn more about Anonymous HIV Testing

7. Since PrEP is effective in providing protection, can I not use a condom for oral and anal sex?

Always use a condom. PrEP doesn’t give you 100 per cent protection. Using a condom while on PrEP significantly lowers your risk further. Besides that, HIV PrEP doesn’t protect you against other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia which can infect the throat, anus and penile urethra.
While on PrEP it is recommended to screen for HIV and other STDs regularly. We provide Rapid HPV Testing & Rapid Gonorrhoea & Chlamydia PCR Testing (Next Day Results).
Learn more about Descovy (New HIV Medication For HIV PrEP)

Descovy (brand name) is a FDA approved new drug combination of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) + emtricitabine for use as HIV PrEP, which has shown to be equally effective in preventing HIV infection whilst touting an improved safety profile for renal and bone toxicity.

Descovy is currently available in all Dr Tan & Partners (DTAP clinics) in Singapore. It is a prescription only medication and must be prescribed by a doctor. Speak to our doctors for more information about Descovy and find out if a HIV-1 treatment that contains Descovy is right for you.

Take Care!

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Other Reads:

1. HPV Infection & HPV Vaccination for Men who have sex with Men

2. A Guide To HIV PrEP and HIV PEP – Pills for HIV Prevention

3. Do I Have HIV Rash? Or Are They Other STD-Related Rashes?

4. What are the Causes of Abnormal Penile Discharge?

5. STD Risk for Receptive Unprotected Anal Sex in Men

6. Low HIV Risk Doesn’t Mean No HIV Risk

7. HIV PrEP for Travel – How You Need to Know

8. An Overview on STD from an STD Doctor

9. Everything You Need to Know about Herpes Simplex Virus

10. How Do I Treat Oral Herpes (Cold Sores)

11. Syphilis Symptoms – Painless Sore & Ulcers

12. HIV Symptoms – What You Need to Know

13. 10 Common HIV related Opportunistic Infections