Q and A

Question

What is the difference between PEP and PrEP?

5 July 2015. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE, PrEP.

I’ve heard about both PrEP and PEP. Is there a difference?

Answer

Answer: Robin Jakob

Hi,

There is a difference between PrEP and PEP. PrEP stand for pre exposure prophylaxis. PEP stands for post exposure prophylaxis.

PEP is HIV drugs you take after you have had an exposure. This reduces the chance of an infection. The drugs this is made up of depends on the guidelines in the country that you are in.

PrEP is also HIV meds, in a pill called Truvada, that you take before an exposure to prevent any possible transmission. PrEP has been available in the US for a while but it is not yet available in the UK. A study PROUD is taking place in the UK. It has already shown that PrEP is effective here.

You can find more information about PEP and PrEP on our website, as well as information about the PROUD study.

50 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Annalize,

    For information about PEP see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
    For information about PrEP see here: https://i-base.info/guides/prep

  2. Annalize •

    Which of PrEP and PEP would you recommend for youth who engage in sex work and why?

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Masilo, PEP does not guarantee HIV transmission. PEP has been shown to be around 80% effective. Though there are a number of factors that influence this inc. time to access PEP, level of HIV exposure risk and what treatment is being used as PEP. PrEP is much more effective at preventing exposure at around 99% effectiveness.

  4. Masilo •

    (is it possible to get infected with HIV even after taking Pep

  5. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Harish,

    Trustiva is a generic version of Atripla. It is used to treat HIV for people who are HIV positive.

    Trustiva can also be used, in some countries, as PEP. PEP is taken after possible exposure to HIV for just 28 days. The aim of PEP is to stop you becoming HIV positive.

    But if you are HIV negative you can take PrEP. PrEP is a single pill with only two drugs in it. This is taken before you have a possible exposure to HIV, if you think you’re at risk.

    So if you’re HIV negative and think you are at ongoing risk of HIV, you can talk to your doctor and ask for PrEP. Please see this link for more info.

  6. Harish •

    Hi why Trustiva is used?

    If I take Trustiva as PEP can I take it more that three months ?

  7. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Zama,

    Many thanks for your comment.

    The difference is that Tenemine and Aluvia can be used together as PEP.

    Tenemine can be used on its own as PrEP.

    Please see this guide to PEP and PrEP.

  8. Zama •

    Rob you’re contradicting yourself in these comments and I’m now confused, you said tenemine and aluvia can be used as pep to princess but then you also said it can’t to mosele.. Please clarify

  9. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Noku,

    This sounds like PEP. PEP is HIV drugs you take after you have had an exposure. And yes, this reduces the chance of getting HIV.

    The drugs this is made up of depends on the guidelines in the country that you are in.

    You can find more information about PEP and PrEP here.

  10. Noku •

    Hi ,I slept with someone who is HIV positive, so I got Atenef pills, will they help prevent me from getting HIV.