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. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Mndeni, you do not need to extend your course of PEP. 3 days after unprotected sex is long enough to prevent transmission. You can continue taking PEP at your normal time.

  2. Mndeni •

    Hi, I’ve got 3 days worth of pep left. I’ve just had unprotected sex. Should I go and extend my course? Just to be safe I took a pill immediately 00:00 but I normally take them in the morning. So should I take another one at my normal time and again and also should I extend my course?

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Belle, PEP does not have an effect on the menstrual cycle. If your cycle has changed this is not due to PEP and you should speak with your doctor. For common side effects of PEP (TLD) please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/18961

  4. Belle •

    Hi, Does pep have an effect on my menstrual cycle. And can it cause abdominal pains

  5. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Samkelo, as you are on PEP you are protected from further exposures. You do not need to extend your course of PEP.

  6. Samkelo •

    I started the Acriptega (PEP) still taking the course on week 2 now
    But was tested Negative
    Also had unprotected sex yesterday
    Does it still prevent HIV infection?

  7. Simon Collins •

    Hi David, thanks – this questions is answered in this factsheet about PEP here:
    https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

  8. David •

    Hi Doc, I had an unprotected sex after 12days of taking pep with the same person, I would like to know if I should extend it?

  9. Simon Collins •

    Hi Sbuda

    Acriptega contains three meds in one pill and is used as either treatment or PEP.

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

    PrEP only needs two of the three meds in Acriptega. You doctor will prescribe a different formulation of the two meds used for PrEP – tenofovir and emtricitabine.
    https://i-base.info/prep/

  10. Sbuda •

    Can Acriptega be used as PrEP and/or PEP?