The drug you have heard of is called Truvada. This is a pill that contains two HIV drugs \u2013 tenofovir and FTC. Both these drugs are widely used as HIV treatment.<\/p>\n
Several studies showed that Truvada dramatically\u00a0reduces the risk of sexual transmission when taken every day by people who are HIV negative.<\/p>\n
On the basis of these studies Truvada was approved in July 2012 for use as PrEP in the US. Truvada was\u00a0approved in Europe for use as PrEP in 2016. However, because it is already licensed as a medicine, it can be prescribed under certain circumstances.\u00a0PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis.<\/p>\n
Most of the results about effectiveness and safety in gay men come from a large study called iPrEX. The study focused mostly on young gay men who were at high risk of catching HIV. They were generally young, having many partners, rarely discussing HIV or using condoms and who drank a lot of alcohol. They were also given condoms with support on the importance of using them.<\/p>\n
In the study overall, the risk of catching HIV was reduced by 40% in people using PrEP\u00a0compared to the inactive dummy pill that half the participants were given. But many people didn\u2019t take either. When people who actually took PrEP\u00a0were looked at (compared to those who just said they were taking it) protection increased to over 90%.<\/p>\n
So these results looked good, but you also asked about the risks and disadvantages. One is that PrEP is\u00a0that PrEP is only effective if you take it, so adherence is important. However, so far in all PrEP studies no new transmissions have been reported in people who are actually taking PrEP.<\/p>\n
Sid effects are a\u00a0second issue, but these\u00a0were not common\u00a0and mostly were mild. The risk of developing drug resistance in people who still become positive while taking PrEP, is a concern, but again this was not seen in the studies.<\/p>\n
Using PrEP also involves\u00a0routine HIV testing every three months, but this can be a good thing too as you can have tests for other STIs.<\/p>\n
PrEP is\u00a0an important new option. Anyone wanting to use PrEP, should\u00a0discuss advantages and disadvantages in more detail with a doctor. Although UK surveys show that about 50% of gay men are interested in PrEP, at least 25% are actively against the idea, so it will not be for everyone.<\/p>\n
Another concern\u00a0\u2013 certainly in terms of getting PrEP free on the NHS \u2013 is\u00a0cost. For example, the NHS wanted a UK study before approving PrEP.\u00a0\u00a0This study (called PROUD) has already been completed and reported clear benefits of PrEP<\/a>\u00a0in October 2014.<\/p>\n The NHS has since been going through a slow review process which ended with the announcement of a new study<\/a>. During this time there has been increasing use buying generic PrEP online<\/a>.<\/p>\n