Question
How long does PEP work after finishing the course?
22 July 2023. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE, PrEP.
How many hours/days or weeks after completing pep can i be protected from HIV?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
When you complete PEP you are no longer protected from further exposures.
To protect yourself further you would need to start PrEP.
PrEP is a medication similar to PEP but is taken daily or on an event-based regimen. PrEP is required to be taken before and after an event.
Josh.
Hi AD, sorry for any confusion. PEP has a short half life. This means even being on it for months, after a day without medication the active level needed of PEP is going to drop and no longer be effective.
Missing a day is often okay as the PEP level can be returned above the working threshold with an additional dose, however after more than one day this is less likely to occur.
It is possible that some protection may be afforded though this is more speculation without research other than evidence-based recommendations.
Hi Josh – this is a bit confusing. On some other questions it’s been stated that PEP is likely to protect from further exposure up to a week after the last dose (of course with lower efficacy) but still provide protection since the drug has had 28 days of build up. Is this not true?
I would imagine a 28 day build of PEP in the system will continue to provide protection for at least 3-6 days after final dose, just like prep would ?
Thanks