Question
Will taking PrEP late work with on demand dosing?
27 April 2020. Related: All topics, PrEP.
Hi, I take PrEP with on demand dosing and after having sex after my first double dose i remembered my first dose post sex on time. However, my second dose was 5h late and 3rd dose was 5h late too. Will this affect my level of protection and should i continue taking it 5h late every day?
Answer
Hi
Thanks for your question. The easy answer is that you will probably be fine.
Both the drugs in PrEP stay in your body to allow for a few hours being late with dosing.
It is better to try to take them at the right time.
The after sex doses with on demand dosing only need to be taken 24 hours and 48 hours after the first double dose. Taking an extra dose for a third day will not do any harm though.
If you are still having sex every day though, then continue taking PrEP until 24 and 48 hours after the last time you had sex.
More information on real life examples for on demand dosing.
Hi JB, no you do not need to consider PEP. As you had taken that first double dose of PrEP and the second dose on Monday, you would have had some level of PrEP in your body.
Then taking the second double dose 30 minutes prior to sex can provide protection along with the PrEP you had already taken. This is in the context of you having sex with someone who has tested negative meaning the risk in general is reduced. You do not need to be on PEP.
Hello
I take prep on demand.
I took 2 prep on Friday on demand, anticipating to have sex but it didn’t happen. On Monday I took 1 prep as it was in my drug tray and yesterday (Tuesday) I took 2 prep 30 minutes before having sex (receiving).
Should I consider PEP? It was a casual hook up and the other guy has told me he is negative but he is not taking prep and has had unprotected sex with other guys who are on prep, since his last test.
Hi Mike, as on-demand PrEP starts with a double dose there will still be a high level of PrEP in your body.
This will remain active in the body longer than 24 hours and can help provide protection to the delayed dose.
You do not need to start PEP.
Hi, I took on demand prep and then took the after sex dose 36 hours after the first. Should I get Pep?
Hi Aiden, as you had been taking PrEP previously to this taking PrEP immediately after your exposure will still be effective.
You will be table to stop PrEP after taking PrEP for the following 2 days after exposure.
Hi I took prep immediately after exposure , is that still effective ?
I had prep on time before up to Tuesday then stopped for 2 days, until Friday I had exposure, and immediately after exposure I started my prep by taking 2 pills
Would that still be effective
Hi Trev, the first situation is not a problem. Taking the 2 pills would not be harmful.
In the second situation you will also be safe. As you had started with a double dose, there is a high enough level of PrEP in your body to account for the 7.25 hour delay. You do not need to be worried in either situation. PrEP will still effective.
Hi there! This might duplicate since I did not see my comment in the comment section..
I’m on demand dosing
Sunday 12:20am 2pills
Sunday 8am Had sex
Sunday night had drinks, forgot if I took it or not.
Monday 7:40am, took the pill however after I took the pill I recounted the bottle and it seems like I took 4 pills by then
This means I either took the second dose on Monday 12am(I had alarm) , or I took two pills accidentally on Monday 7:40am. I know it’s very weird and confusing but I just can’t get this memory back…
Tuesday 12:20am 1pill
I’m just wondering if it’s the first situation, would it be harmful to take 2 pills, if it’s the second situation, will I still be protected if the second dose is 7.25 hours late even I took 2 pills?
I would be really appreciate your help, thank you!!
Hi Mike, yes it is okay to stop. As long as you have taken PrEP for 2 days following your last exposure PrEP will be effective.
Am i okay to stop? I took a double dose on friday 19th anticipating sex over the week which didnt happen so continued with daily dosing untill sex occurred on the Wednesday (24th) i have since been taking my prep daily since then and have had no more sexual encounters making today 4 days post sex i am assuming it is okay to stop?