What is PrEP?

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

PrEP is usually a pill taken before and after sex, so it is preexposure. Prophylaxis means to prevent infection.

PrEP routinely uses oral tablets that contain two HIV drugs: TD plus FTC.

A newer version using tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) instead of TD is only approved in the US, and only for cis men and trans women.

TAF-based PrEP is rarely used by the NHS but a generic version can be bought online for personal use.

A two-monthly injection of cabotegravir as PrEP is also approved in the US, but not yet in Europe.

Since December 2021, PrEP studies of a monthly oral pill and a yearly implant (both using islatravir) were put on-hold.

Last updated: 1 November 2022.