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 Tony, there is no need to take PEP. Oral sex carries little to no risk of HIV transmission. Diarrhoea is not a sign if HIV seroconversion. For a test to be confirmed it needs to be taken 6 weeks after exposure. This would be 42 days after September 2nd. Though as you have already tested negative it is over 95% certain that you do not have HIV. As oral risk carries minimal risk and you do have a negative result, testing again after 6 weeks would not be indicated in your case. Please follow this link for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
If I received oral from woman on September 2 and test negative on 23rd of September then I went into my doctor had them draw blood from vein on October 5th It also came back negative but on October 8 and 9th I had diarrhea went to ER and they said there’s no reason to retest you for that and that it’s another problem because all std results were negative on October 5 should I still take PEP and get tested again or am I most likely really negative and I’m over reacting?
Hi Grace, if the blood only touched your skin there is not risk of transmission – there would be no need to be on PEP. Please follow this link for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I had a blood spill on my face while bleeding a vl sample, I have been on pep for 2weeks now and its weighing down on me, am always sick on and off and was thinking I should stop because blood spill isn’t that high risk.
Hi Jason, no you should not. After 3 hours PEP will have been absorbed by the body. Do not take another pill.
If I throw up 3 hours after taking pep (efavirenz, lamiduvine, tenofir) should I retake another pill?
Hi Stanley, what PEP medication are you taking? and have you been experiencing a runny stomach for as long as you have been on medication?
My second week on pep medication,yhe problem is my running stomach.Do l have to worry about this ?
Hi Manjuanth, stopping PEP at day 20 is a little early. Stopping PEP earlier than recommended cannot guarantee it will work as well. Is there a reason that you have stopped taking PEP?
Hi doctor, what happened pep medicine stop 20days