Question
Do I need to extend PEP after being exposed midway through?
16 May 2022. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, PEP/PEPSE.
Hello Here are the sequence of events need guidance:
1. April 25th my condom slipped when I pulled out since I panicked, concerned my Doctor started me on PEP Truvada and Tivicay which was started in time (40 hours) on April 27th.
2. I have been on PEP for two good weeks and had a very similar incident, where the condom slipped again. I don’t know the person’s status is unknown. May 12th, this is quite a bizarre instance of occurring twice. I think I switched to a new condom brand.
I have two clarifications here:
1. Since I am on PEP and one of the medication Truvada is also used as PREP what are the risk here for me with given incident?
2. I am still taking PEP and have 15 more days of dosage left which will end on May 28th. So given that I am already on. The meds and the risk exposure of the issue should I just complete rest of my course and extend the PEP additional 2 weeks?
NOTE: I have been very careful and these unfortunate incidents happened twice.
Appreciate your guidance
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
You do not need to extend your course of PEP. This is because, as you have mentioned your regimen of PEP contains the drug combination used in PrEP. For this reason PEP will have been acting as PrEP in your body and prevent further risky exposures while midway through the course.
You can finish your course of PEP when originally expected (when you get to the end of the next 15 days).
I understand that you have said this is a rare occurrence but have you considered PrEP? This would prevent any further panicking if you have any future problems with condoms.
Josh,.
Hi Kelly, no you are not going to be infected with HIV from this exposure.
PEP will work like PrEP while you are on it. You can continue with your treatment and you do not need to extend the course.
PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Good day , I’m freaking out help me
I have been exposed to hiv while on day 3 of pep
After reading some website that said pep cannot protect you from second exposure I got really worried
Please if this message finds you , I know if I should continue with pep or am I going to be infected since I was only 3 days in with pep
Hi Sashre, PEP will act as PrEP for the duration of the course.
This means that while you are taking it daily you are protected from other exposures for the duration. This means this will not increase the risk of PEP failing.
PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Does pep fail due to the number of exposure while taking it ? I’ve been on pep for 8 days now and I had two exposures ,
Does the number of exposures mean I will get infected and pep is not going to work ?
Hi Leena, no you do not extend your course. While on PEP the treatment will act like PrEP and prevent further exposures. You can stop PEP when originally planned.
PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Good day Josh
I have been on pep for 17 days , I’ve had another exposure day 9th and 15th and 17th of pep , in both of these exposures, he never ejaculated inside me , he is hiv positive by the way , please do I extend my course , could the pep fail because of the number of times I had the exposures please help !! Thank you
Hi Keletso, extending the course of PEP will not make it more effective.
Were you taking your multivitamins and raltegravir at the same time?
Hyy Josh I was taking multivitamin while on raltergravir I’m afraid that it can make them less affective, should my doctor extend the course so that they can be more affective
Hi Joe, as you have 2 doses left you can stop the course of PEP when originally planned.
In this case PEP will work like on-demand PrEP. The 2 doses you have remaining means you have enough treatment after the exposure to prevent transmission.
Hello, I am on PEP and have only 2 doses remaining to complete the cause. I am being exposed again. Must i finish up the 2 doses or restart PEP again? the remaining doses are the extras in the box.