Q and A

Question

Can I smoke while on PEP?

Hi. I smoke cigarettes and I’m taking PEP. So is it safe to smoke cigarettes after taking PEP and while on PEP? Are there any interactions?

Answer

Hi, how are you doing?

Yes you can smoke while on PEP.

There is no interaction between cigarette smoke and the effectiveness of PEP.

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

Josh.

6 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Arnold, how soon after taking PEP does this swelling appear? and does it cause any problems with swallowing/breathing?

    Have you had this problem with taking medication before e.g., paracetamol, or is this specific to PEP.

    If this swelling is not causing any problems and is only associated with PEP, speak to a doctor if it gets worse or it remains after completing PEP. Smoking weed is not going to have any association with this swelling.

  2. Arnold

    I’m smoking weed on pep currently on the 7th day and I notice that every time I do my neck swells up and becomes hard and then it goes down after 15 minutes

  3. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Mologadi, please see here for more information about testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

    The earliest you can test after PEP for a conclusive result is 6 weeks after the last dose. This will be using a 4th generation antigen/antibody test.

  4. Mologadi

    Good evening

    I have had unprotected sex with someone that tested positive and I went to get pep 48 hours later. What are my chances of surviving the infection? I also went to get tested and it was negative. Is it still too early?

  5. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Bobby, no there is nothing in vapes that interact with PEP. You can use a vape while on PEP and it will not have any effect.

  6. Bobby

    Is there anything in disposable vapes that can affect pep