Did you know there’s a once-a-day pill that can prevent HIV? Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a one pill, once-a-day method to prevent HIV. PrEP is meant for HIV-negative individuals who are looking to stay negative and is perfect for those who have a partner living with HIV, those who don’t use condoms consistently, or anyone who has had a diagnosed STI in the past six months. PrEP is also recommended for people who share needles or who have been prescribed PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) multiple times in the past following concern for exposure.
We can prescribe you PrEP here at Care2Prevent! To start taking PrEP, you’ll have to get an HIV test to confirm that you are HIV-negative. We’ll work with your insurance or try to get you insurance or an assistance program if you don’t have it so that you can get help paying for the prescription.
After your first visit, your provider will schedule you for a follow-up in 3-4 months to do some basic labs to retest for HIV and STI.
It’s important to know that PrEP does NOT prevent other STIs and that condom use is still highly recommended for the prevention of those infections or for those not intending to get pregnant.
If at any point you decide you don’t want to continue taking PrEP or your sexual or needle-use activity changes, you can stop taking it. Unlike HIV, you don’t need to take the medication for the rest of your life and you can stop once you feel you’re no longer at risk of contracting HIV.
With any questions or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 773-702-5872 or complete this referral form and someone will reach out within two business days. You can also find more information about PrEP here from the CDC.