PrEP Emtricitabine/Tenofovir (Generic Truvada) Treatment

Buy PrEP (generic Truvada) tablets

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a type of medication that prevents the infection of HIV. No matter how HIV is transmitted, PrEP will continue to keep you protected.

It’s particularly useful for people who are at a higher risk of HIV, like:

• GBMSM (gay and bisexual men who have sex with men)
• people who inject drugs, especially those sharing injecting equipment

PrEP works to prevent HIV by blocking a crucial part of the life cycle of the infection while in your body, meaning it can’t become established. It does this by stopping the enzyme that HIV needs to replicate.

How effective is PrEP?

When taken daily, PrEP is 99% effective at preventing HIV. This is why daily dosing is the encouraged method by the NHS for those having vaginal and/or anal sex.

An alternative to daily dosing is on-demand or event-based dosing. It involves taking your medication around when you plan to have sex.

However you choose to take PrEP, it is important that you take it consistently. Inconsistent usage, while still providing protection, can cause PrEP’s effectiveness to fall as low as 44%.

What’s the difference between emtricitabine/tenofovir and Truvada?

Truvada is the brand name for the drug containing emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, manufactured by Gilead Sciences.

While there are different forms of 'emtricitabine/tenofovir' (such as emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, sometimes referred to as TAF PrEP or Descovy), the generic version we provide is the same as Truvada.

Who can get PrEP tablets?

PrEP is widely accessible and is available to most people who need it. To get PrEP with Chemist4U, you must be over 18, and fall into one or more of the following categories:

• You're at risk of getting HIV, for example if you've had condomless sex in the past three months and expect to again, if you have a partner who's HIV positive with a detectable viral load, or if you've been clinically assessed as being at high risk.
• You've tested negative for HIV in the last two weeks using a 4th generation HIV test.
• Your kidneys are working normally, as PrEP can affect kidney function. Your kidneys will need to be checked before you start, a month after starting, and then every three to six months.

Can you get PrEP if you have a positive hepatitis B or C test?

Having hepatitis C doesn't stop you from getting PrEP, but hepatitis B requires careful consideration as stopping PrEP can cause a hepatitis B flare-up. Your clinician will need to assess whether PrEP is appropriate for you before prescribing it.

Can you get PrEP if you test positive for abnormal kidney function?

You won't be able to start PrEP until your kidney function is confirmed as normal, as PrEP can put additional strain on your kidneys and could make things worse.

How to take PrEP tablets

The most common way to take PrEP is as a daily pill. To do this safely you should:

• Take one pill every day at around the same time.
• Wait seven days before having sex after starting PrEP.

It’s recommended to take PrEP with or after food. If you’re having problems swallowing tablets, then it’s okay to crush the tablet up and drink it with water, orange juice or grape juice.

You can read our guide if you want to know more about how to take PrEP, including information on event-based dosing, and what to do if you miss a dose.

What to expect when taking PrEP

Starting PrEP is a straightforward process, but there are a few steps you'll need to go through before you can get it.

First, you'll have a consultation with a clinician, either at a sexual health clinic or online. They'll want to make sure PrEP is right for you, so they'll ask about your sexual health history and any medicines you're currently taking.

Before you can start, you'll need to test negative for HIV, as taking PrEP when you've already got HIV can cause the virus to become resistant to the medication.

Additionally, PrEP cannot reverse an infection that has already started, as it’s designed to prevent HIV from establishing an infection in someone who is HIV negative.

You'll also have a few other tests done, including:

• A kidney function test, to make sure your kidneys are healthy enough to handle PrEP.
• A hepatitis B test, as stopping PrEP can cause problems if you've got hepatitis B.
• STI screening, including tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.
• A pregnancy test, if appropriate.

Once you've started PrEP, you'll need to arrange checks roughly every three months. At each visit, you'll be tested for HIV again, to make sure you don’t need to change your treatment.

It’s recommended that you also get a kidney function test every 3-6 months, and an STI screening every three months. PrEP doesn't protect against STIs other than HIV, so these check-ups are a really important part of the process.

PrEP side effects

Most people who take PrEP don't experience any side effects.

The most common PrEP side effects tend to occur in the first few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication, and they usually settle down on their own. They include:

• nausea
• headaches
• diarrhoea

Long-term side effects

In a small number of people, PrEP can reduce kidney function and slightly affect bone density over time.

This is why your kidney function is checked regularly while you're on PrEP. For most people these effects are minor and reversible if PrEP is stopped, but it's important to attend your check-ups so your clinician can keep an eye on things.

PrEP and other medication

The main interactions to be aware of involve medications that can affect your kidneys:

• Ibuprofen, or naproxen: regular use can strain the kidneys.
• Aciclovir, or valaciclovir: these antiviral herpes treatments can increase the risk of kidney damage.
• Adefovir: a treatment for hepatitis B that shouldn’t be taken with PrEP.

Additionally, recreational drug use and alcohol can also make it harder to take PrEP consistently, which means it won't work as well. It's always a good idea to talk to a sexual health clinician about any recreational drug use. They're there to help, not to judge.

When should you avoid taking PrEP?

PrEP isn’t always suitable for everyone. Before looking to start PrEP, you should disclose to your clinician if you:

• are HIV positive
• have hepatitis
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a weakened immune system
• have severe liver or kidney issues
• have ever had an allergic reaction to PrEP

If any of these do apply to you, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take PrEP. It may mean a different type of PrEP is a better fit, or a more structured plan is required.

Sources

• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). NHS. [Accessed 23/02/2026]