Question
Can I use ARVs instead of PrEP?
9 September 2019. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
My girlfriend has tested positive and on arvs,and I have tested negative, can i drink arvs to prevent myself since i am in South Africa and can’t afford the prep meds.
Answer
Hi
ARVs and PrEP use the same drugs.
But ARV combinations (called ART) use three HIV drugs and PrEP only uses two drugs (tenofovir DF and emtricitabine).
PrEP should be available free in South African clinics.
You can’t use your partners ARVs for PrEP.
Hi Prince, are you on ART? If you are on treatment and undetectable there is no risk of transmission to your wife and kids.
Does your wife know their own status?
Pleas is there any possibility that my pregnant wife and unborn kids
are not infected cos I am positive and she don’t know about it
Hi Dorris, Acriptega is a generic version of TLD, TLD and PrEP do contain some of the same drugs which would make it suitable. However TLD contains more drugs than PrEP and putting unnecessary medication into your body.
Where is this country for which you are having difficulty accessing PrEP? and how do you intend to access Acriptega if you are currently HIV negative?
Can I use acriptega to prevent ma self from being infected from HIV virus,at first I was using preep then when I went to refile to a different hospital course I had travelled to another county for work
Hi Lucky, PrEP is usually a combination of at least 2 medications. Tenofovir disoproxil us one, often it is combined with emtricitabine. Together this combination is called Truvada. This link will explain more about Truvada: https://i-base.info/guides/746
Can I Tenofovir Disoproxil as prep
Hi Moses, this depends on a number of factors. If your parter is on medication and is undetectable and/or you use condoms there is no need to be on PrEP. Condoms and undetectable viral loads prevent transmission of HIV. If you are looking to have weekly sex without condoms and they are not on medication/have a high viral load you have an option of daily PrEP. How many times a week you take this will depend on the type of sex. Please see this guide for further details on how/when to take PrEP: https://i-base.info/guides/prep
I take Prep because my partner is positive, how long should I take it?
Hi Tshepo,
The availability of free PrEP varies depending on where someone lives. In you’re in South Africa, please contact the following: https://tac.org.za/ However, if your partner is on medication and her viral load is undetectable, you can’t contract HIV from her. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
I was told prep is not available freely,at soshanguve south clinic,and I’m staying with a HIV positive partner,but she is on Arvs,so I’m always scared of contracting, where can I get alternative medication, since I’m unemployed cannot afford to buy at pharmacies