Question
Is there a benefit to taking PEP for more than 28 days?
15 November 2021. Related: All topics.
Can I take PEP for more than 28 days to get the best results?
Answer
Hi Kennedy, how are you?
Thanks for the question. There is no data to support that taking PEP for any longer than 28 days is beneficial. In exceptional circumstances the course may be extended, but does require very specific criteria to be met and consultation with an HIV specialist.
Taking PEP every day for the 28 day course is what minimizes your risk most. This page will explain how best to use PEP for the best results.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Josh
Hi Dickson, as you are on established PEP, your treatment will also work as PrEP. This means that you are protected from further exposures while you are taking PEP. As you are continuing with PEP for 3 days after this exposure you can complete your course when originally planned.
PrEP is a combination of 2 drugs. PEP is a combination of 3. Sometimes PrEP can be used as PEP but in combination with one other drug.
Hello thanks for the info : what happens if I have been on pep program then on my 25th day I get exposed again? Do I just complete the 28 days I have been on Pep or I have to start another dose afresh ? Lastly are Pep drugs same as prep , if yes does it mean someone who has been on pep is more of someone who has been on Prep?
Hi Harlestone
I am sorry you are worrying, but HIV is generally a difficult virus to catch. In most cases the risk is much lower than 1 in 100 (less than 1%).
Please see this info on PEP that answers your questions.
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi Doc,
I completed my Pep course of 28days,I started immediately.Same day,what should I do.Am a worried dude.
Hi Chima, yes you can take PEP again. There is no limit on the number of times you can take PEP. Have you considered PrEP? PrEP is similar to PEP but you take it before an exposure. You can either take it daily or on-demand. Taking it before means there is no risk of transmission and you do not have to access courses of treatment afterwards. More information about PrEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/guides/prep
Can I take PEP two times , if am exposed to HIV two times but within an interval of 15 after I finished the 28 days first occurrence….. That is I had first occurrence I took it for 28 days and within 15days I had another one …can I take again?
Hi David, it is too early to test now. The earliest you can test is 6 weeks after your last dose of PEP with a 4th generation test. Testing before this does not give accurate results. The tests available earlier are not diagnostic and cannot confirm your status. PEP can interfere with the accuracy of test results which is why you need to wait.
Hi. Thank you for your response from the other day, it helped me a lot and I’ve now completed my PEP course, and took the pills for 27 days everyday at the same time.
I just want to know if testing will give me a definitive result (blood work kind) if I test right now, as it’s only been a few days since I finished? Or I’ll only truly know if I test two weeks from now?
Hi David, no you do not need to get any more pills. After 21 days PEP will have worked or not. The duration of 28 days is more a matter of convenience rather than increasing how effective the course is. It is okay to stop PEP at day 27 and not complete the full course.
Hi. I’m almost at the end of my PEP course. I had one pill sitting in my pocket and lost the wallet, meaning that I now have pills for 27 days and not for a full 28days.
To what degree will this effect the outcome and should I just go buy an entire full bottle for that one pill that I need?