PrEP When Travelling

As noted in previous videos, Truvada for PrEP is a robust treatment and occasional changes in time of dosing will not have a major impact on it’s protection against HIV.

I recommend all people continue to take the medication at the same time they would normally take the medication.

If you take your PrEP in the morning continue to take it in the morning.
If you take it before bed continue to take it before bed.

When changing time zones the trick is:

• If it’s been less than 12 hours since your last tablet but it’s the time you would normally take it at your new destination, skip this one dose and take the next dose at the time you would normally take it.
• If it’s been more than 12 bours since your last dose and it’s now the time you take the medication in your new time zone, take the tablet and continue to take the medicine at the same time each day.

For Example…

If I am flying to the USA from Australia, I take my PrEP in the morning before I head to the airport. My flight is usually around lunch and then it’s a 14h flight to the USA. Normally I arrive at the morning in the USA when I would normally take my PrEP. On this day as it’s been more than 12h since the tablet (acuatlly pretty close to 20 hours), I just take the PrEP and continue to take it at the same time each day.

I hope this has helped explain this process.

Also of note, when travelling be sure to carry your medications in the bottle it was supplied with your name and drug information on the sticker.

I like to carry a letter from my doctor as well explaining why I am taking the drug.

Remember some countries have laws around people living with infections such as HIV so it can be helpful to have this letter to explain whey you are taking PrEP.

Of course if you have any questions, be sure to talk with your doctor before heading over seas.

Happy Travels!

Dr George Forgan-Smith