PrEP For Women, Heterosexual Men & People With Trans Experience

Thank you for your interest in PrEP.

As part of the informed consent process some important points to understand before staring PrEP.

  • PrEP is a medication prescribed to help prevent HIV infection. You must be HIV negative before starting PrEP. This will be confirmed before starting PrEP and every three months while you are taking the medication.

  • When taken as recommended PrEP is more than 99% effective in preventing HIV infection. Across the world a small number of people have become infected with HIV while taking PrEP. These cases are rare and have been associated with infection with HIV that was resistant to the two medications used in PrEP.
    Some infections have been associated with inadequate medication in the body. It is vital to ensure you take the medication as recommended.

  • PrEP only protects against HIV infection. It does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections. Use of condoms can reduce the risk of other STI’s.

  • PrEP has been associated with reduced kidney function. It is important to let your doctor know if you have any issues with your kidneys or if you take any medicines that could affect your kidneys.

  • There is a rare risk of reduced bone density while taking PrEP. If you have osteoporosis, brittle bones or a family history of osteoporosis let your doctor know. They may wish to do a bone density scan before starting PrEP.

  • Minor stomach upset, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea can happen to some people when they start PrEP. This usually settles in the first few weeks of taking PrEP.

  • Regular sexual health screening is an important part of taking PrEP. It is recommended to have full sexual health screening every 3 months.

  • For women, if you are sexually active without condoms be aware you could fall pregnant. It is important to consider contraception if you are not wishing to fall pregnant. PrEP is safe for women who wish to fall pregnant.

  • In Australia daily PrEP is recommended for all women, heterosexual men and people with trans experience.

If at any point you develop any symptoms of concern be sure to talk with your doctor.

Taking Daily PrEP: Guide For Women, Heterosexual Men & People With Trans Experience.

  • Starting PrEP

    To start PrEP you need to take one tablet of PrEP every day for 7 days before you will have protective levels of PrEP inside the body.

  • Continuing PrEP

    Simply take one table of PrEP every day. It is not essential to take the tablet at the same time each day however doing so may make it easier to remember.

  • Stopping PrEP

    If you wish to stop PrEP you need to take one tablet of PrEP every day for 28 days after your last potential exposure to HIV. This will ensure any HIV you may have been exposed to is completely eliminated.