Question
Will taking PrEP late work with on demand dosing?
27 April 2020. Related: All topics, PrEP.
Hi, I take PrEP with on demand dosing and after having sex after my first double dose i remembered my first dose post sex on time. However, my second dose was 5h late and 3rd dose was 5h late too. Will this affect my level of protection and should i continue taking it 5h late every day?
Answer
Hi
Thanks for your question. The easy answer is that you will probably be fine.
Both the drugs in PrEP stay in your body to allow for a few hours being late with dosing.
It is better to try to take them at the right time.
The after sex doses with on demand dosing only need to be taken 24 hours and 48 hours after the first double dose. Taking an extra dose for a third day will not do any harm though.
If you are still having sex every day though, then continue taking PrEP until 24 and 48 hours after the last time you had sex.
More information on real life examples for on demand dosing.
Hi Trev, the first situation is not a problem. Taking the 2 pills would not be harmful.
In the second situation you will also be safe. As you had started with a double dose, there is a high enough level of PrEP in your body to account for the 7.25 hour delay. You do not need to be worried in either situation. PrEP will still effective.
Hi there! This might duplicate since I did not see my comment in the comment section..
I’m on demand dosing
Sunday 12:20am 2pills
Sunday 8am Had sex
Sunday night had drinks, forgot if I took it or not.
Monday 7:40am, took the pill however after I took the pill I recounted the bottle and it seems like I took 4 pills by then
This means I either took the second dose on Monday 12am(I had alarm) , or I took two pills accidentally on Monday 7:40am. I know it’s very weird and confusing but I just can’t get this memory back…
Tuesday 12:20am 1pill
I’m just wondering if it’s the first situation, would it be harmful to take 2 pills, if it’s the second situation, will I still be protected if the second dose is 7.25 hours late even I took 2 pills?
I would be really appreciate your help, thank you!!
Hi Mike, yes it is okay to stop. As long as you have taken PrEP for 2 days following your last exposure PrEP will be effective.
Am i okay to stop? I took a double dose on friday 19th anticipating sex over the week which didnt happen so continued with daily dosing untill sex occurred on the Wednesday (24th) i have since been taking my prep daily since then and have had no more sexual encounters making today 4 days post sex i am assuming it is okay to stop?