Question
Late with the after sex on-demand PrEP dose.
5 March 2022. Related: Adherence, All topics, PrEP.
Hello for all. I started 2-1-1 prep, took 2 pills 3 hours before sex. Then I took second pill after 24 hours after sex, not 24 hours after the first 2 pills – I have delayed the second pill by 3 hours. I’m still continuing taking PrEP every day because I have sex but I am just worrying is it ok to delay the second dose by 3 hours? Thank you for reply.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
Being 3 hours late on the second dose is not likely to cause a problem. The initial double dose will have increased the drug levels within your body more than a single dose anyway. These drugs tend to remain at the required drug level within the body for more than 24 hours.
While it is best to take the medication as routinely as you can, being late by 3 hours is unlikely to cause you any problem. As you have now continued with daily dosing, PrEP will have remained at effective level within your body.
There is no reason to be concerned after this event,
Josh.
Hi Roman – the link I sent before answers these questions with all the info there is about PEP:
https://i-base.info/uk-guide-to-prep/
Also at this link with more info about this service:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844
Hi Simon,
Thank you for the reply. I probably should have phrased it better. I was more concerned about whether the late tablet would require asking for PEP or whether I still had protection.
Just to refresh,
I took 2 tablets at 6pm Wednesday.
1 tablet 6pm Thursday, sex at 11pm.
1 tablet 8pm Friday.
The last one was taken at 1am Sunday; so 7 hours late of my routine, but 5 hours late if I account for the previous being late by two hours as well.
I am uncertain if this requires pep or not and quite concerned because of the uncertainty.
Thank you for your help
Hi Roman, please see this guide which explains PrEP dosing:
https://i-base.info/uk-guide-to-prep/
Good morning, I just want to run this past you.
I take on demand prep.
I took 2 tablets at 6pm Wednesday.
1 tablet 6pm Thursday, sex at 11pm.
1 tablet 8pm Friday.
The last one was taken at 1am Sunday; so 7 hours late of my routine, but 5 hours late if I account for the previous being late by two hours as well.
I am uncertain if this requires pep or not and quite concerned because of the uncertainty.
Thank you.
Hello EC,
no PrEP taken as prescribed can protect you to not need PEP.
i took tenofovir/emtricitabine for on demand prep 2/1/1. Do I still need to take PEP to improve protection rate? Thanks.