Q and A

Question

Will 2 drugs work as PEP?

I was exposed 12 days ago and I went to the clinic for PEP but was given 2 drugs combination PrEP and just discovered yesterday that was given PrEP instead of PEP. Is 2 drug will work as PEP?

Answer

Hi, how are you doing?

Although PEP is sometimes given with only 2 drugs, a 3-drug combination is better and more active. Most countries recommend 3-drug PEP.

Sometimes, for example if someone has 2-drug PrEP, it is good to start this straight away, while you are getting to a clinic to get 3-drug PEP.

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

Josh

2 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Fridah, PEP is usually recommended to be a combination of 3 drugs. TLD as you have mentioned contains 3 and Truvada only uses 2.

    3-drug PEP is better and more effective and is recommended in all guidelines. If 2-drug PEP can be started really quickly, for example if PrEP is available, this will buy time while you are getting to the clinic.

  2. Fridah

    Hi. I have a question. Between Truvada and TLD…which one would you recommend for PEP?

    If the Doctor recommends TLD as opposed to Truvada which includes Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir…. should somebody get worried that they might miss out on one drug component (Emtricitabine) which is in Truvada?