Is imported generic Truvada safe?

I must admit when I first stated prescribing PrEP I was concerned about whether or not the generic versions of these drugs were safe.

What I can now tell you is that the manufacturers of generic Truvada are doing so under licence from Gilead. To be able to do this there is stringent testing to ensure that they are producing a product that is equally as good as Truvada.

“Which generic version do I bring into Australia?”

There are a number of different choices of generics, and what I would recommend is making sure that you buy through a website that is well-established and has a good relationship with a number of providers of generic drugs. The one site that I recommend as the best place to start is PrEP Access Now, http://pan.org.au. 

As you can see, I am at the PrEPaccessNOW website, pan.org.au, and there are a number of different options you can use to import the drug Truvada into Australia. So, you go to “How to get to PrEP,” and then “Buy PrEP online.” And it is a three step process, as they’ve said, to decide that you want to go on PrEP, find a GP to get your script, and then ordering PrEP online. So you can click on that, and it will take you down to the “Order PrEP online” section.

Don’t Take PrEP With Psyllium (Metamucil™)

One important thing that I would like to note is the combination of Metamucil™ or psyllium husks and PrEP medication. When you take cilium husks, it’s designed as a way of helping keep bowel movements regular. It’s normally a teaspoon that’s mixed into a glass of water. It creates a gel-like substance inside the gut that helps absorb water and make your poo nice and soft.

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 become HIV positive while taking PrEP.

How do I import PrEP into Australia?

If you are going to import PrEP into Australia, it's very important that you have a conversation with your doctor, who is familiar with PrEP. They will be able to provide you not only with a prescription for a PrEP but you will also be able to get some information on how to import it. When you are buying from overseas, you will be purchasing generic Truvada. Generic Truvada is exactly the same as regular Truvada. However, it's made in companies that have been licenced by Gilead, the creator of Truvada. Under this licence, they can produce the generic PrEP that you can import into Australia.

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.