Everything You Need To Know About PreP

Everyone's talking about the drug that can prevent HIV. But what actually is it?

1. What is PrEP?

Via gifrific.com

PrEP stands for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis. It’s a medication taken by someone who doesn’t have HIV, to help prevent them from getting HIV.

It's a type of antiretroviral therapy (ART) – the same type of medication taken by someone who already has HIV and generally comes in the form of a pill

2. Can anyone take it?

Via img.buzzfeed.com

PrEP is designed for those who are at significant risk of catching HIV.

One of the biggest groups currently taking PrEP in the UK are men who have sex with men (MSM). In the UK alone, 1 in 20 MSM are HIV positive and 2,500 MSM are diagnosed with HIV every year.

3. How does it work?

Via well-cap-intl.com

The PrEP pill is commonly known by it's brand name: Truvada. It's a combination of two antiretroviral drugs: Tenofovir and Emtricitabine.

If you get exposed to HIV through unprotected sex, these drugs prevent HIV from establishing itself in the body and mean you don't become infected.

4. And is it actually effective?

Via mrc.ac.uk

In a word, yes. Multiple studies such as the UK PROUD trial have shown that oral PrEP is highly effective and can reduce the risk of catching HIV by up to 86%.

The impact of PrEP is already being seen, with some of London's busiest sexual health clinics reporting a 50% drop in HIV diagnoses between 2015 - 16. PrEP is thought to have played a large part in this.

5. Won't it mean lots of people having unprotected sex?

Via cdn4.iconfinder.com

A big worry about PrEP was that people would become more relaxed about catching HIV, have more unprotected sex and end up with other STIs such as Syphilis or Gonorrhoea.

However, the results from the UK PROUD trial showed no significant increase in the rates of STIs in men taking PrEP than in those who weren't.

PrEP is not designed to replace condoms, but in the real world accidents happen. Alongside condoms and regular STI/HIV checks, PrEP is an additional way of protecting yourself from HIV.

6. How do I take it?

Via rlv.zcache.com

PrEP is most commonly taken as a once daily pill. There's also the option to take it on an "as and when" basis, i.e. before and after sex.

It's important to work out which routine suits you best. Have a look at this info from i-base and Prepster.

7. What are the side-effects?

Via antiaging-supplements.org

Luckily, most people who take PrEP don't experience side effects. If they do, they tend to settle after the first few weeks and don't stop you from carrying on with PrEP. They can include headaches, stomach problems and feeling tired.

8. So can I just start taking it?

Via lalpathlabs.com

No. The decision to take PrEP requires thought and planning. Your best bet is to go to a sexual health clinic and chat through it with a specialist. There's also great information about all aspects of PrEP online at Prepster and iwantprepnow.

It's vital you take a HIV test before starting PrEP to ensure you're HIV negative, as taking PrEP during the early stages of HIV infection could affect future treatment options. You'll also need your kidney function checked and a test for Hepatitis B before starting.

You'll need regular HIVs tests whilst taking PrEP, alongside screening for other STIs.

9. How do i get hold of it?

Via blog.stigmasearch.com

PrEP is now available in 3 ways

1) On private prescription. But this is expensive, with a month's supply of branded Truvada coming in at a whopping £400/month.

2) Good news is you can also buy generic (non-branded) PrEP online at a much lower price (£45/month). Buying drugs online carries risks, so it's vital you purchase PrEP as safely as possible. See the iwantprepnow for advice on where and how to buy.

3) By enrolling on the NHS funded IMPACT trial - see here for more info and where you can enrol.

10. Do I take it forever?

Via roanokechowan.edu

No. Don't keep taking PrEP if it's not necessary. If you're no longer taking risks then you don't need PrEP.

11. How come it isn't available for free?!

Via tumblr.com

In a shameful U-Turn in March 2016 NHS England stated that they hold no responsibility to fund PrEP. So the National AIDS Trust (NAT) took NHS England to court - and won. In August 2016 the High Court ruled that NHS England do have the responsibility to prescribe PrEP.

NHS England have now started the IMPACT trial which is open for recruitment now. IMPACT is not just for MSM, but anyone at significant risk of acquiring HIV, including women and people with HIV positive partners that are not on treatment.

The push to make PrEP available to those who need it continues and you can lend your support to the cause in a variety of ways. See Prepster for more info.

12. And for anyone who think the NHS shouldn't fund PrEP..

See this beautifully put summary from Patrick Strudwick (@PatrickStrud)

Questions for those who say the NHS shouldn't fund the HIV prevention drug because people "should just use a condom" pic.twitter.com/7asJcMMvLs

— Patrick Strudwick (@PatrickStrud) August 2, 2016