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 Martin, PEP needs to be started within 72 hours of an exposure. If you had missed the first dose you would be starting PEP at 73 hours after the exposure.
As you had taken that first dose, it is likely that this can account for the additional one hour of delay in treatment e.g., starting at 73 hours.
In this case you can continue with your course of treatment and finish when originally expected.
More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi, I was exposed on 10th May at around 2pm. I later took PEP that day at around 6pm. I then missed PEP on 11th and 12th May. I again took it on 13th at around 3pm. Will it work. I read somewhere PEP gets discontinued when missed for 48hours. To my calculations I missed it for 45hrs.
Hi Tito, an important part of PEP includes testing for other STIs and then treating them. This is for health and your partners but it wont stop PEP from working. Please see this link for PEP info including on sex and STIs:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hey doctor, can gorrnohea cause pep to fail?
Hi Lia – thanks – this link answers your Q and has other info on PEP too:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
I took pep for 29 days is it bad or its caused malfunction of the medicine
Hi Joseph, PEP is effective when started within 72 hours of an exposure. At 84 hours it is unclear if there will be any benefit to taking PEP.
Were you given PEP by a doctor?
More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi,i had sex with someone , on the 84 Hour of unproctete sex,i took prep straight away for 30 days ..will it work ?
Hi Milkah, PEP will be effective when started within 72 hours. It does not matter that you started PEP on the second day of exposure.
More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hey, I had unprotected sex but went to hospital in less than 72hrs was given 28days pep now my question is are the peps going to work on me beca5i went to the hospital on the second day of exposure