Question

I am taking PEP, can I have uprotected sex?

14 February 2012. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.

I’ve been taking lamzid for 5 days now and I want to find out how this will
affect my pregnant partner when we have unprotected sex?

I am taking lamzid because I slept with someone without a condom and I felt
very unsafe so I went to the doctor within 72 hours and he prescribed lamzid for me.

My pregnant partner is only 7weeks pregnant will this harm our baby?

Answer

Answer: Angelina Namiba

There is no data on whether PEP can harm the unborn baby. However, unprotected sex whilst you are taking PEP is not recommended. This is because you don’t know your status and you could infect your partner. That is why it is important to wait until you finish the course and have done the follow-up confirmatory test.

For more information on PEP this link:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

Best wishes

481 comments

  1. Simon Collins •

    Hi Fred

    Please see the links here to learn about HIV risks.
    https://i-base.info/qa/11844

    If the condom did not break there is no risk.

  2. fred •

    I used condom while having sex with an HIV positive woman who is not on medication, Can I turn hiv positive if the condom did not break?

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Collins, while on PEP it is not recommended to have sex. This is because you are unsure of your own status. If you do have sex it is recommended to use a condom.

  4. Collins •

    I had sex with an infected person and late ,I came home drunk and slept with my wife now we are on peps together.
    Is it recommend to have sex ?

  5. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Mlondez, while on PEP you are unaware of your status. There is some very small risk of transmission to other partners while on PEP however this risk is low. Because of this they do not need to be on PEP themselves.

    PEP will help to suppress any HIV in your body and reduce the risk of transmission. While on PEP it is recommended to either avoid sex or to use a condom to prevent transmission. PEP does not prevent other STI’s and a condom is required for this risk.

  6. Mlondez •

    I had sex with someone while on pep. Can i infect my partner if i was exposed ?

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Babalwa, as you started PEP within 72 hours of a potential exposure, PEP will be effective. Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

  8. Babalwa •

    I had sex with someone I suspect that he is HIV positive first round we used condom and the second round but the third round it broke I went to the doctor then later that day around 8 I started wit adco emtevir so I’m really stressed

  9. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Tim, while on PEP it is not recommended to have sex. This is because you are unsure of your own status and there is some risk. However this risk is small as you are taking treatment and there would be no need for your partner to be on PEP. The risk is too low that there is less benefit from taking PEP themselves. While unsure of your status it would be recommended to use condoms.

  10. Tim •

    Hi doctor,is it safe to have unprotected sex after 24 hours of taking PEP? what are the chances of my partner being infected??