Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP

We have PrEP!

Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP is a daily pill that can help prevent HIV. If you don’t have HIV, taking PrEP daily can lower your chances of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. For people who inject drugs, it can reduce the risk by more than 70% (according to the CDC).

When PrEP is combined with other prevention methods like condoms, it works even better. However, PrEP may not work if you skip doses. Even if used correctly, there’s no guarantee that PrEP will prevent HIV infection because every body is different.

Is PrEP right for me?

PrEP is for anyone who is HIV-negative and at risk of getting HIV from sexual activities or injecting drugs.

When you come in for your appointment, we’ll talk with you about the sex you have, the protection you use, and your medical history. We’ll also test you for HIV and test your kidney function. Plus, we may recommend other tests for hepatitis and other STIs. Once you’re on PrEP, you’ll need to come see us every 3 months to get tested for HIV, and we may recommend other tests depending on your circumstances.

It’s super important to go to your follow-up appointments to make sure you’re healthy and HIV-free. It’s really unlikely you’ll get HIV if you’re using PrEP consistently. But if you do happen to get HIV while using PrEP, it’s important to stop using PrEP right away. PrEP is not a treatment for HIV — in fact, taking PrEP when you have HIV can actually make the virus harder to treat.

What does PrEP cost?

Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover PrEP. Check with your insurance company to see if PrEP is covered on your plan (we accept most major insurance plans, assistance programs, and also provide a sliding fee scale).

If you don’t have insurance or are concerned about cost, you may qualify for low-cost PrEP services. We can help you figure that out.

Give us a call and schedule an appointment to learn more about PrEP today!
612-473-0800