Question
Why do I suffer from upset stomach after taking PEP?
18 April 2012. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.
I was exposed to HIV in March 2012 after vaginal sex without a condom. I am now on PEP. I tested negative twice, last test ELISA 4th generation in early April 2012. I still have no symptoms of but have an upset stomach for the last three weeks. Could this be HIV?
Answer
PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) is the term for using HIV drugs after a potential exposure to reduce the risk of HIV infection. PEP usually involves taking a combination of three HIV drugs for 28 days. Very early use of HIV drugs may stop HIV establishing infection.
Because PEP involves taking HIV medicine, this can also cause side effects including upset stomach. However, as with any symptom this is something you should tell your doctor about.
For more information on PEP, please take a look at this link.
Hi Zama,
Do you think you are pregnant? If you are, please tell your doctor you’re on PEP. Please speak to the clinic about monitoring and testing during your pregnancy.
If PEP works and protects you from HIV, that’s great. But if you are HIV positive, please see this guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
I’m on PEP and i missed my periods
Hi David,
It looks like you’re taking PEP. Please see all information on PEP at this link.
Hi my name is David from Kenya I had sex with a hiv + girl and am hiv- we went to hospital and I was given ARVs told to take them for 28 days do I need to worry?
Hi Samsara,
If you are pregnant the HIV meds will be safe for your baby. What meds are you taking for PEP?
Many women ask, is it safe to take HIV meds during pregnancy. The simple answer is, yes.
Reducing the risk of a baby becoming HIV positive was an early benefit of HIV drugs. Although pregnant women are often advised against taking many medicines, this is not the case with HIV drugs.
It’s a good idea to talk to the doctor and ask what to do when you finish your PEP meds. And also to check whether you are pregnant.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
Hello I have been on pep and I am almost at the end of the dosage. I am worried though that I have missed my period.
If I am pregnant will the baby an me be safe as the conception may have occurred while I was taking pep.
Please advise me. I am frantic.
Hi Paul,
What did they say at the clinic when you first went there?
As it says above, PEP usually means taking 3 drugs. But you mention only tenofovir DF and lamivudine.
Unfortuntely we are not doctors at i-Base so it’s a good idea to ask the clinic for them to look at your symptoms.
Hello
On the 26th December I had sex with a sex worker, I wore two condoms did not notice any damage. The condom did not cover the entire shaft but I had no cuts or sores, we had sex for less than two minutes. I assuming she has hiv, 17 hours after this I went to a clinic and was put on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg with lamivudine 300 mg. I took the first tablet 23 hours after the exposure, did not experience any major side effects except for a mild rash and a muscle pain to my right foot. On the 23rd day i noticed that my circumvallate papillae had become enlarged, on the the 26th day my stomach was giving problems and the next day I noticed a canker sore on the upper right side on my mouth next to my teeth. I was told that these were side effects so i was like okay, I finished my medication 10 days ago and my canker sore is disappearing but circumvallate papillae is still enlarged and stomach still is upset and developed a headache and some muscle pain in both my feet. I want to go for testing in 4 days which will be the 6th week since the incident, I wanted to know if the medication has failed and what in your opinion will my test be positive cause I think that I am seroconversion
Hi Jake,
If you’re having pains while urinating you should see your doctor. You could have an infection. If you discontinue PEP and you have been exposed to HIV it will reduce the chances of it working.
Hello house, I had sex with a sex worker who has refused to test for hiv, I got tested before 24 hours of exposure and resulted negative afterwards prescribed PEP for 24 days. I skipped second day after taking pep due to the side effect on the first day was much then continued the third day. Now I am in my fifth day and I feel generally unwell, I’m having pains while urinating with fears of damaging my kidney. I want to discontinue pep, I need advice