Question

Can TLD be used as PEP?

5 January 2022. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, PEP/PEPSE.

Can TLD help someone who has been in contact with an HIV positive person to prevent them from contracting HIV before 72 hrs?

Answer

Answer: Josh Peasegood

Hi, how are you?

Yes you can. TLD is a combination that can be used as PEP and for the management of active HIV infection. PEP stands for post exposure prophylaxis. PEP is used to prevent established infection after exposure.

TLD is a first choice recommendation for PEP. The course lasts 28 days following a high risk exposure. It is only used in cases where the exposure was within 72 hours. After this, regardless of what drug is prescribed, PEP will not work.

However, if your partner was using effective HIV treatment (ART) , you will not be at risk. Having an undetectable viral load on ART means HIV is not a risk. Please see:
i-base.info/u-equals-u/

Please see this link for more information about PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

If you have any more questions please ask,

Josh.

126 comments

  1. JITENDRA •

    IAM TAKING XOPOVIR LT WHICH CONTAIN ALL THREE OF THESE TABLETS IN SAME AMOUNT BUT ITS HAS WRITTEN ON TABLETS DLT IN PLACE OF TLD. SO PLEASE TELL MEE BOTH MEDICINES ARE SAME AND IAM TAKING THIS MEDICINE AS PEP BEFORE 72 HOURS OF EXPOSER .BECAUSE I DONT KNOW THE STATUS OF SEX WORKER WHOM I HAD UN PROTECTED SEX …. HOW MUCH CHANCES OF MEE GETTING HIV . IAM IN TO MUCH OF DIPRESSION . AND THIS XOPOVIRLT(DLT) HAS ANY MAJOR SIDE EFFECTS

  2. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Rudi, yes this is normal. Not everyone will experience side effects while taking TLD. It is more common not to. Not having symptoms is a good thing.

  3. Rudi •

    Hi, is it normal if i’m not having any symtomps after taking TLD?

  4. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Dery, after a needle-stick injury you should seek PEP. Depending on where you are and what time it is this can be from A&E or occupational health. PEP is a 3 combination antiviral drug that is taken for 28 days. It is usually started within 72 hours of the potential exposure. PEP: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/pep-and-pepse

  5. Dery •

    What should one do after having a needle prick of an HIV infected person and what medication is require for prevention of HIV

  6. Simon Collins •

    Hi Tiego, please see this link:
    i-base.info/qa/18957

  7. Tiego •

    Ellow my name is Tiego can I use TLD after having unprotected sex with someone who is hiv,?

  8. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Kim, Atroiza is not routinely given as PEP. Atroiza contains efavirenz which commonly causes side effects – mostly associated with mood disturbances. Taking it in the evening can help avoid this. Atroiza will be able to work as PEP comparatively to TLD, but it is not often used as TLD is generally better tolerated for the short duration of the course.

  9. Kim •

    Hie. My name is Miley. I was given Atroiza for PEP. Is that normal as opposed to TLD?

  10. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Sharon, please see this link for more information about PEP.
    https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq