Why is PrEP Important?

While there is currently no cure for HIV, taking PrEP is important in stopping the spread of HIV. PrEP, when properly utilized as instructed by a health provider, can help save millions of people from transmission of the virus.

What is PrEP?

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, better known as PrEP, is a preventative measure for individuals to prevent the spread of HIV. PrEP, which typically comes in pill or injection forms, allows people to have sexual contact with people who are HIV positive without contracting the virus. PrEP is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of HIV, with a 99% rate of protection if taken correctly. It also lowers your chance of contracting HIV through a used needle by 74%.

There are different ways to take PrEP, depending on your preferences:

• A once-daily pill
• A shot once every two months
• On demand, 2 to 24 hours before sexual encounter

PrEP is extremely effective by itself, but the chances of full protection are higher when you combine it with condoms..

Who should take PrEP?

You should consider taking PrEP if you are HIV negative and:

• You have or will have a sexual partner who is HIV positive
• You don’t use condoms regularly
• You are pregnant and at risk for HIV
• PrEP has been known to reduce the risk of giving HIV to a fetus.
• You have used shared needles or syringes
• You have used PEP more than once

PrEP can greatly reduce the risk of contracting HIV and help keep you safe without having to make major changes to the way you live.

Which type of PrEP is right for me?

PrEP can be pills or shots. BAC offers both.

Approved pills: Truvada® and Descovy®.

• Truvada® is for people at risk through sex or injection drug use.
• Descovy® is for people at risk through sex. Descovy is not for people assigned female at birth who are at risk for HIV through receptive vaginal sex.

Approved shots: Apretude

• Apretude is the only shot approved for use as PrEP.Apretude is for people at risk through sex who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kg).

The PrEP pill must be taken every day. Failure to take the pill every day will make the pill far less effective at preventing HIV.The PrEP injectionstarts with one shot in the buttocks, followed by a second shot after one month, and then a shot every two months thereafter.Recent studies have shown that injectable PrEP may be more effective at preventing HIV because there is less room for human error as a once-daily pill. 

What are the side effects of taking PrEP?

It should be said that most people do not experience many side effects while taking PrEP. However, it is always good to be PrEPared in case side effects do occur. 

Common side effects for both the PrEP pill and injection include:

• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Fever
• Muscle pain

Common side effects for PrEP injection only include:

• Itching, pain, swelling, or redness around where shot was given

These side effects are mild at worst, and most symptoms stop once your body gets used to the medication. If side effects do not get better, or get worse, talk with your provider about what you can do to feel better.

Interactions with Common Medicines

PrEP has very few known interactions with other drugs. NSAIDs like ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen may affect the kidneys when taken with PrEP, but this is only a serious issue if you take NSAIDs everyday. PrEP is very safe to take with hormone therapies for transgender and nonbinary people, and it has no known interactions with birth control medications.

Next Steps

After you’ve started PrEP, you will have to visit a doctor’s office every 2 to 3 months to get an HIV test. You may also have to get other STD tests, or a pregnancy test if you have a uterus. These follow-up appointments are crucial to make sure you are healthy and happy. Though contracting HIV while on PrEP is rare if taken correctly, it is bad for you to continue to take PrEP if you do become HIV positive. If you test positive, you should stop taking PrEP right away, as it will make your diagnosis harder to treat.

What we can do to help

BAC has a PrEP program for individuals who engage in risk behaviors, such as having unprotected sex, sharing needles or syringes with an HIV-positive partner. Anal sex is the highest-risk behavior. BAC offersPrEP in both injectable and pill form. Our Prevention Education department also delivers education around sexual lifestyles to the community through wellness workshops, school presentations and providing free HIV, STI and Hepatitis C testing.

You can call us at 347-505-5150 or 347-677-2877. You can also send an email to preventionedsvcs@bac-ny.org