Are there any supplements or other medications that I need to avoid when taking prep?

It’s important that, when you start prep, that it is prescribed by your doctor and they can look at all of your medications and check for any interaction that could be present.

What was the biggest “side effect” I personally noted on PrEP?

By far the biggest side effect I have had with PrEP has been a monumental shift in my own belief structures.

I grew up in the “bad old days” of HIV. Days where there was only one highly toxic treatment available. Days where funerals were common. Days of whispering in clubs with people wondering “does he have ‘it’” when someone lost weight.

If I Have HIV Positive Semen In My Ass Can I Pass HIV?

One of the more tricky questions that has been posed is, “If somebody is on PrEP and HIV-positive semen is deposited into their rectum, and then a second person was to come along and have anal sex with that person,” i.e., their penis would be running into the semen that was previously left, “could that lead to the transmission of HIV?” This is one of those holes in the Swiss cheese lining up kind of arguments, and the risk is pretty much theoretically zero. It’s a very crazy, bizarre situation that people have created to try and sort of figure this one out.

Can You Get HIV When Taking PrEP?

There have been cases around the world where people have acquired HIV while taking PrEP.

What Adverse Side Effects Does Truvada Have?

Truvada, the drug that is used in PrEP does has some side effect and it’s important to be clear and open about how these can be affected.

Who should be considering PrEP?

People who are interested in PrEP are number one people you should be talking to about PrEP. However, there are a number of groups of people who could benefit from PrEP.

Can PrEP Cause Resistant Strains Of HIV?

One question I am occassionally asked is:

I’m taking prep, does this mean that I won’t be able to be treated with the drugs in the future if I become HIV positive?

How often should I get a PrEP review?

When taking PrEP, it’s important that you have a regular check-up every three months.

Does Alcohol or Drugs Stop Truvada From Working?

Am I able to take PrEP if I’m drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs?

How do I take PrEP?

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There are a number of different studies that look at ways that you can take PrEP. However, here in Australia, our recommendation is that PrEP should be taken every day. When PrEP is taken every day, what we know is that there is enough drug within the system to reduce the risk of HIV infection by about 99%. It's very important that you find a regular routine to take the tablet. For some people, I say find something that you do on a reliable basis every day and then attach taking that drug at that time. For example, if every morning you have a coffee, take your drug, put it beside the coffee jar as a reminder to take the medicine every day. Sometimes, using an app on your phone can be helpful as a reminder to take your tablet. It may also be useful to get a small container and place one or two tablets of your PrEP inside that container and throw it into your work bag. That way, if you forget to take a tablet, you've got one with you and you can take it straight away.