Question

If PEP is 28 days does this mean PrEP is just for one day?

5 August 2016. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.

I know that PEP is for 28 days after exposure but does this mean PrEP before and after that means 1 day?

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Hi

No, PrEP includes more that just one pill.

PrEP can be dosed in different ways and includes both before and after doses.

Most people take PrEP as a daily pill, every day.

Some people can take PrEP just when they think they will have sex. This is called event-based dosing and the “before” dose is very important.

Please see this link for more information about PrEP:
https://i-base.info/guides/prep

6 comments

  1. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Ashley,

    If your partner is on medication and their viral load is undetectable there’s no need to use PrEP. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/ If their viral load is detectable then yes you could try PrEP or stick with condoms.

  2. ashley •

    Hi my name is Ashley my partner is HIV and am HIV negative I didn’t know he has HIV I went for test two weeks after we had sex twice can i use prep plz assist me plz

  3. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Yaw,

    This is fine. Taking PEP for an extra 2 days will not make a difference to its effectiveness.

  4. Yaw •

    My doctor prescribed Kaletra and Combivir as PEP for 28 days but I took it for 30 days . Can this affect the effectiveness of the medications ???

  5. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Chika,

    Please see Q1 here:

    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  6. Chika •

    Hi,

    I will like to understand repeated HIV testing after PEP

    I took PEP for 30 days, 20hrs after exposure and after baseline Hiv test was negative.
    I ran HIV test on the 30th day counting from the first day I started PEP (i.e the day the PEP finished).
    I ran confirmatory test 91 days counting from the first day i started PEP.

    All tests were negative…is this procedure right from my doctor?

    Thanks

    Chika