+ What is PEP?

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) involves taking anti-HIV medications as soon as possible after you may have been exposed to HIV to try to reduce the chance of becoming HIV positive. These medications keep HIV from making copies of itself and spreading through your body. To be effective, you must begin PEP within 72 hours of exposure, before the virus has time to make too many copies of itself in your body. PEP consists of 2-3 antiretroviral medications and should be taken every day for 28 days. Your doctor will determine what treatment is right for you based on how you were exposed to HIV.

+ Who needs PEP?

PEP is used for anyone who may have been exposed to HIV during a single event. There are two types of PEP:

Non-occupational PEP, taken when someone is potentially exposed to HIV outside the workplace, such as:

• during sex (for example, if the condom broke)
• sexual assault
• after sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs

Occupational PEP, taken when someone working in a healthcare setting is potentially exposed to material infected with HIV, such as:

• getting cut or stuck with a needle that was used to draw blood from a person who may have HIV infection
• getting blood or other body fluids that carry HIV in their eyes or mouth
• getting blood or other body fluids that carry HIV on their skin when it is chapped, scraped, or affected by certain rashes

Keep in mind that PEP should only be used in uncommon situations right after a potential HIV exposure. It is not a substitute for other proven HIV prevention methods, such as correct and consistent condom use, taking PrEP daily or use of sterile injection equipment.

+ How well does PEP work?

If taken within 72 hours after possible exposure, PEP is highly effective in preventing HIV. PEP is safe but may cause side effects like nausea in some people. In almost all cases, these side effects can be treated and are non-life theatening.

You should take other actions to protect your partners while you are taking PEP:

• using condoms with sex partners, and
• never share or use needles, syringes, or equipment to inject drugs.

This will help avoid spreading the virus to others if you have become infected.

+ How soon should I take PEP if I’ve been exposed? (Within 72 hrs!)

To be effective, you must start PEP as soon as possible, but always within 72 hours of exposure. Your healthcare provider will consider whether PEP is right for you based on how you might have been exposed, and whether you know if the person whose fluids you were exposed to might be HIV positive. You will be asked to return for more HIV testing at approximately 4 to 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the potential exposure to HIV. Your healthcare provider will talk with you to establish a follow-up schedule.

+ Who pays for PEP?

PEP is typically covered by insurance programs. If you do not have insurance, your health care provider can help you apply for free medications through the patient assistance program of the drug’s manufacturer. These programs can often process applications quickly to avoid a delay in accessing medication. If you are prescribed PEP after a sexual assault, you may qualify for partial or total reimbursement for medications and clinical care costs through the Office for Victims of Crime funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. If you are a healthcare worker who was exposed to HIV on the job, your workplace health insurance or workers’ compensation will usually pay for PEP. Talk with your administrator who oversees workplace safety for more information.

+ Can I just take multiple rounds of PEP?

PEP should only be used right after an uncommon situation with potential HIV exposure.  

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, may be a better alternative if you’re continually at high-risk of contracting HIV. PrEP is a once-daily pill that reduces your chances of contracting HIV. When used as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by up to 99%. And using condoms and PrEP together helps you stay even safer. PrEP can also lower your chances of getting HIV from sharing drug injection equipment by at least 74%.

Learn more about PrEP. You can contact us at 602.307.5330 to schedule an office visit or telehealth appointment to get on PrEP.

+ When should I get an HIV test if I started taking PEP?

The CDC Guidelines on Antiretroviral Postexposure Prophylaxis after sexual, injection drug use or other non-occupational exposure to HIV recommends that people should be tested for HIV antibodies when PEP is prescribed, 4-6 weeks after exposure, then 3 months and 6 months after exposure. Get tested at no cost with Southwest Center.