Protecting yourself from HIV has never been easier. PrEP medication offers flexible HIV prevention, is easy to use, and is widely available across the UK.
Here's everything you need to know about how PrEP works, who it's for, and how to get it.
Three key takeaways
PrEP is flexible and can be taken daily or on demand.
You can access PrEP freely from sexual health clinics, or privately through online UK pharmacies like Chemist4U.
What is PrEP?
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a drug that reduces the risk of someone contracting HIV.
PrEP isn’t for HIV-positive people, but rather for people who are HIV-negative, at risk, and looking for protection.
What forms of PrEP are available?
There are three main versions of PrEP currently available in the UK.
The most common is the PrEP tablet, which contains tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine. It’s sold as a generic drug and as branded Truvada (among others).
Alternatively, there is a second pill that contains tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine (also called Descovy, or ‘TAF PrEP’) that is prescribed in the instance that:
you have ongoing kidney issues
you have osteoporosis
you are under 18
you are born female
Finally, there is a long-acting PrEP injection available on the NHS for people who cannot swallow oral PrEP pills. It contains the active ingredient cabotegravir and is prescribed under the brand name Apretude.
PrEP works by blocking the HIV life cycle within your body, stopping the virus from spreading if you’re exposed to it during sex or injection drug use.
This means if you are taking PrEP correctly and you’re exposed to HIV, it shouldn’t become established in your body.
How effective is PrEP at HIV prevention?
When PrEP is taken daily as prescribed, it has been proven to be extremely effective, offering up to 99% protection.
While it can still reduce the risk of infection when used inconsistently, its effectiveness drops all the way to 44%. So, it’s really important you follow the instructions for maximum protection.
It’s so effective when taken properly, that there have been fewer than 20 breakthrough cases reported in scientific journals out of about one million people taking PrEP worldwide.
Who should take PrEP?
You should consider taking PrEP if you’re at a higher risk of HIV. This can include if you're sexually active and in higher risk groups such as:
GBMSM (gay and bisexual men who have sex with men)
people who inject drugs, especially those who share injecting equipment
trans men and women
There are other situations that can put you at an increased risk, including:
if your partner is HIV-positive and not on effective treatment
if you have condomless sex with partners whose HIV status is unknown
if you have multiple sexual partners
if you’ve recently had an STI or have hepatitis C
if you have travelled to a country with high HIV prevalence and may have sex with the people from there.
If you’re over the age of 16 and you’re HIV negative, then you’re likely eligible to take PrEP. It may be prescribed for those under the age of 16, but only if they are at risk of HIV.
“PrEP gives you the power to take control of your sexual health. When used correctly, PrEP is highly effective and can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by up to 99%.
“Whether you're in a relationship where your partner's HIV status is positive, or you're navigating situations where condoms aren't always used, PrEP can be a game-changer for your long-term health and wellbeing.
“If you think PrEP might be right for you, reach out to your local sexual health service or speak to a clinician at a registered UK pharmacy like Chemist4U.”
PrEP isn’t suitable for everyone. To make sure it’s safe for you, you should always disclose to your doctor if you:
have ever had an allergic reaction to tenofovir disoproxil, emtricitabine or any other medicine
have severe liver or kidney issues
are pregnant or breastfeeding
have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised)
are HIV positive
have hepatitis
If the above applies to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t use PrEP. It just means you may need to be on a different regime or specific type of PrEP to make it safer for you. Your expert clinician will be able to discuss this in more detail.
Is PrEP safe?
PrEP is generally considered to be a safe and effective treatment in preventing HIV. However, it does not protectagainst other STIs, so you will need to use a condom for wider protection.
PrEP can also cause side effects, though not everyone will experience them. Common PrEP side effects include:
Part of looking after yourself when taking PrEP will also include monitoring from your healthcare professional for things like kidney function.
How to take PrEP tablets
PrEP is a very flexible medication. You can take PrEP two different ways: daily or on-demand (sometimes known as event-based dosing).
A few things can change how you choose to take the medication, including how often you have sex and what type of sex you’re having.
Before starting PrEP
Before you decide to take PrEP, you first must be certain that you are HIV negative (to avoid building a resistance). Additionally:
You should visit a sexual health clinic for full STI screening before starting PrEP.
If you’ve had a recent risk of exposure, you may need to repeat the HIV test again in six weeks.
If you have used a homeHIV self-test you’ll still need to have a test conducted in a lab.
Taking PrEP tablets
If you’re taking PrEP daily, then you should take a tablet each day at the same time. Importantly, if this is how you choose to take PrEP you should wait seven days after you start before having sex.
If you choose to take PrEP on demand, it's only recommended for protection during anal sex, not vaginal sex. If you want to take PrEP on demand, you should:
Take two tablets between 2-24 hours before having sex.
Take one tablet 24 hours later.
Take one tablet 24 hours after that.
If you're continuing to have sex over a longer period of time, carry on taking one pill every 24 hours until you have not had sex for two days.
It is always better to take PrEP with, or after, food. If you vomit within an hour of taking PrEP, then you should take another tablet, as it may not have fully absorbed.
What if I forget to take PrEP?
If you take PrEP daily and have missed a dose, you can still take it as long as it’s within 12 hours of when you were supposed to take it. If it is more than 12 hours, skip that dose and take your next scheduled dose.
While it’s important not to miss your dose, we understand that it happens. However, for full protection on PrEP you must have taken at least six doses in the last week. If you have missed more than two doses, contact your doctor for advice.
How to get PrEP
PrEP is widely available in the UK as it strives to become the first country to have zero new transmissions by 2030.
PrEP on the NHS
To get free PrEP on the NHS, you’ll need to find your local sexual health clinic, as you cannot get it from your GP.
PrEP with Chemist4U
If you are unable to access PrEP on the NHS, then you can get it prescribed privately following an approved online consultation with Chemist4U.
Purchasing privately eliminates the wait and worry, as our PrEP arrives discreetly, with next-day shipping.
This can make it more readily available than waiting for clinic appointments and is safer than buying from overseas sellers.
When taken daily, PrEP can be up to 99% effective at preventing the contraction of HIV. Condoms are also a very good form of barrier protection, and additionally, protect from other STIs. For maximum protection, it’s best to use a combination of barrier protection and PrEP.
When is the best time to start PrEP?
You should start PrEP if you believe that you will potentially be exposed to HIV either due to your sex life, lifestyle or your occupation.
Can you take PrEP while pregnant?
Yes, it is considered safe to take PrEP during pregnancy as it is not thought to be harmful to the baby.
What happens when I stop PrEP?
If you stop taking PrEP, then you will lose your HIV protection. You can stop or restart PrEP if your HIV risk changes, but you should always discuss any planned changes with a clinician.
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