PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

Talk to your partners and friends about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a medicine that when taken as prescribed, can greatly reduce your risk of getting HIV from sex and injection drug use.

PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body. It is highly effective for preventing HIV if used as prescribed. And remember, PrEP protects you against HIV but not against other sexual transmitted diseases (STDs).

How effective is PrEP?

PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

• PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed.
• Although there is less information about how effective PrEP pills are among people who inject drugs, we know that PrEP pills reduce the risk of getting HIV by at least 74% when taken as prescribed.
• PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed.

How long does PrEP take to work?

• For receptive anal sex (bottoming), PrEP pills reach maximum protection from HIV at about 7 days of daily use.
• For receptive vaginal sex and injection drug use, PrEP pills reach maximum protection at about 21 days of daily use.
• No data are available for PrEP pill effectiveness for insertive anal sex (topping) or insertive vaginal sex.
• We don’t know how long it takes for PrEP shots to reach maximum protection during sex.

Are there different types of PrEP?

• Daily Oral PrEP: A daily pill, highly effective when taken consistently.
• Event-Driven PrEP: Taken around periods of potential exposure, mainly for men who have sex with men.
• Long-Acting Injectable PrEP: A bimonthly injection, ideal for those who find daily pills challenging.
• Vaginal Ring: A monthly ring, still experimental, releases an HIV-preventive drug internally

How can I pay for PrEP?

Most insurance plans and state Medicaid programs cover PrEP. Under the Affordable Care Act, PrEP must be free under almost all health insurance plans. That means you can't be charged for your PrEP medication or the clinic visits and lab tests you need to maintain your prescription.

• Insurance and Medicaid: Most insurance plans and state Medicaid programs cover PrEP under the Affordable Care Act, making it free.
• Co-pay Assistance Programs: Reduce costs of PrEP medications without considering income eligibility.
• ViiVConnect: Provides financial assistance specifically for PrEP shots.
• State PrEP Assistance Programs: Cover medication, clinical visits, lab tests, or a combination of these, depending on the state.