Search Menu

Glossary

Selected words and phrases

somnolence – feeling sleepy or drowsy, especially during the day.

multi-disciplinary – a team approach to care, involving several different professionals.

fungus (fungi) – parasitic organisms that include moulds, mildews, mushrooms and yeast.

in vitro – a study in a test tube. Literally, ‘in glass’.

On-demand dosing – a term for taking medicines only at times linked to a relevant event.

On-demand dosing for PrEP is also called “event-based dosing” (EBD).

For example, on-demand dosing for PrEP (to prevent HIV transmission) involves taking PrEP before sex and then for several days after sex.

For many years, on-demand dosing referred to 2:1:1 dosing. This was an option for cisgender gay and bisexual men using PrEP. This involves starting with a double dose (two pills), taken 24 to 2 hours before sex, and then single daily doses for the two days after sex.

In 2025, UK (BASHH) and European (EACS) PrEP guidelines included 2:7 on-demand dosing for cisgender women and for transgender and non-binary people.