PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is an HIV prevention method in which people who don’t have HIV take HIV medicine daily to reduce their risk of getting HIV if they are exposed to the virus. Currently, the only FDA-approved medication for PrEP is a combination of two anti-HIV drugs, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, sold in a single pill under the brand name Truvada™
Why Take PrEP?
PrEP is highly effective when taken as indicated.
The once-daily pill reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk by more than 70%.
Your risk of getting HIV from sex can be even lower if you combine PrEP with condoms and other prevention methods.
Is PrEP Right for You?
PrEP may benefit you if you are HIV-negative and ANY of the following apply to you:
You are a gay/bisexual man and you:
-have an HIV-positive partner
-have multiple partners, a partner with multiple partners, or a partner whose HIV status is unknown
–and you also:
-have anal sex without a condom, or recently had a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
You are a heterosexual and you:
-have an HIV-positive partner, have multiple partners, a partner with multiple partners, or a partner whose HIV status is unknown
–and you also:
-don’t always use a condom for sex with people who inject drugs.
You inject drugs and you:
share needles or equipment to inject drugs are at risk for getting HIV from sex.