Question
Can I stop PEP early?
3 February 2022. Related: Adherence, All topics, PEP/PEPSE, Stopping treatment.
Hello, I am currently on a 28 day course of PEP. I am curious as to if I can stop early to keep a few pills of each, for if this ever happens again (it was hard and took FOREVER to get this prescription). I was thinking of either stopping at day 21 or day 25. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Answer
Hi Leo , how are you doing?
Stopping PEP early might reduce how effective it is at working. As such it would not be recommended to do what you are suggesting, especially at day 21. Stopping at day 26, like as suggested in this post is not likely to cause harm and does have some benefit.
Have you considered PrEP? On-demand dosing does not require regular medication and when used can prevent need for PEP. This is a link to using on-demand PrEP.
Josh.
Hi Shaun, stopping would not cause any problems. Why did you stop after 1 day?
I stopped using pep after 1 day of exposure and I don’t know my status?
I tested negative and my girlfriend’s results are not out yet
Am worried that I was taking pep medication and if stopping would result me in having problems if I have already the disease
Hi Ken, you do not need to be on PEP as your were not exposed to HIV.
It is unlikely that these symptoms are caused by Biktarvy. It is possible that they have been caused by stress. If they continue after stopping Biktarvy please speak with your doctor.
Hi
I have has unprotected sex last week (only around 10 second, no ejection) and I take the potential source to take hiv Pcr-Rna test after 8 days. The result shows negative.
I have taken 6 days of biktarvy as clinic recommended and I am now suffering from frequently urine, abdominal pain, swell throat. Depression and lightheaded.
Can I stop Biktarvy now? I am worried that my kidney and liver have long term damage and unrecoverable after 28 days course.
Look forward to your prompted reply as I am suffering from the side effects. I worry more about the side effect than hiv positive now.
Thanks.
Hi Antonio, please see this link for info about PEP. Please also use Google translate for the info on here.
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
consulte este enlace para obtener información sobre PEP. Utilice también el traductor de Google para obtener la información allí.
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Estimado(a) tengo una inquietud sobre lo que creo fue una situación de riesgo…
(I have a concern about a possible risk)
Hi Sipho, yes. If both you and your partner test HIV negative there is no need to continue with PEP. There would have been no exposure to HIV.
Hi Josh,
I was exposed to unprotected sex and within 48hrs I started with PEP, my partner whom I had sex with and I suggested to do HIV tests, mine came back negative, and waiting hers. Does this mean if they come back negative I should stop with the PEP?
Hi, as you are both negative, your partner recently testing so, there is no need for you to remain on PEP. You can stop taking PEP.
Hi
We experienced a condom burst while still penetrating, luckily we were able to realise it and he pulled out and came outside. He told me that he is HIV negative but could not settle for old results and I requested him to test for results results. As worried as I was I also went for a test and requested the PEP which I started immediately. He came back with HIV negative results. I am on day 5 of PEP, not sure if it is still necessary to continue to day 28?
Kindly advice