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PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

This section answers some of the most common questions about PrEP.

What is PrEP?

PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a highly effective way for people at high risk to have more control over their sex lives and protect themselves from HIV.

PrEP involves taking one pill a day. The medication prevents the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying which means that, if you are exposed to HIV, PrEP makes it very difficult for the virus to infect your body.

When taken daily, PrEP can significantly reduce the risk of acquiring HIV.

PrEP works to prevent HIV but it doesn’t protect you against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or prevent pregnancy. Therefore, people using PrEP should also take other steps to protect their sexual health, including regular STI testing.

 

How do we know PrEP works?

Clinical trials have shown that PrEP works when it’s taken correctly and consistently.

The small number of people who have become infected with HIV while using PrEP were not taking it every day.

PrEP only works if you have enough of the medication in your body, so you need to take PrEP every day.

 

How long do I have to take PrEP for it to start protecting me?

The number of days you have to take PrEP to establish the right levels of drug in your body varies. For people having anal sex, we recommend 7 days. For people having vaginal or front hole sex and for people who inject drugs, we recommend 21 days.

 

Is PrEP safe? What are the side effects?

PrEP is safe. The drugs used for PrEP have been part of safe, effective HIV treatments since 2004.

Most people taking PrEP have no side effects. For those who do, the most common ones are nausea, upset stomach, fatigue and headaches. These symptoms often go away within a month of starting PrEP.

In rare cases, PrEP can cause kidney or bone problems. That’s why anyone taking PrEP should see their health care provider every three months to be monitored for any signs of these problems.

 

Is PrEP right for me?

PrEP is only one way to prevent HIV and improve your sexual health – and it’s not right for everyone.

PrEP may be right for you if you are:

  • A man who has condomless anal sex with other men and has any of the following risk factors:
    • rectal gonorrhoea or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of the rectum
    • infectious syphilis
    • has had more than one course of PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)
    • an HIV-positive partner who does not have a suppressed viral load
    • a partner(s) whose HIV status is unknown
    • a high score on a valid HIV risk assessment tool
    • used methamphetamines such as crystal or speed in the past 6 months
    • injects drugs and sometimes share needles
  • A transgender woman who has condomless anal sex and any of the following risk factors:
    • rectal gonorrhoea or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of the rectum
    • infectious syphilis
    • has had more than one course of PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)
    • an HIV-positive partner who does not have a suppressed viral load
    • a high score on a valid HIV risk assessment tool
    • used methamphetamines such as crystal or speed in the past 6 months
    • injects drugs and sometimes share needles
  • A heterosexual man or woman who:
    • has condomless anal or vaginal sex with an HIV-positive partner who does not have a suppressed viral load
    • has condomless anal or vaginal sex with a partner(s) whose HIV status is unknown
    • has condomless anal or vaginal sex with a partner who injects drugs
    • has had infectious syphilis
    • has had more than one course of PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)
    • injects drugs and sometimes share needles

Use the private, assessment tool on this website to see if PrEP might be right for you.

Interested in PrEP?

Answer a few questions to find out if PrEP would be a good way to improve your sexual health. Then talk to a health care provider so you have all the information you need to decide whether PrEP or another form of HIV prevention is right for you.

 

FAQs

Does PrEP work for women?

Yes, PrEP can be an effective form of HIV prevention for women.

Is PrEP safe to use with birth control?

PrEP is not a birth control option – it doesn’t prevent pregnancy. However, it is safe to use with all forms of birth control including oral contraceptives, IUDs and condoms.

Is PrEP safe if I am pregnant or trying to have a baby?

Yes, PrEP is safe for pregnant women or women trying to conceive. There isn’t a lot of research on using PrEP during pregnancy and breast feeding/chest feeding but there is a lot of research that shows it’s safe for pregnant women to use the same drugs for HIV treatment. If you have questions about using PrEP during pregnancy or while breast feeding/chest feeding, talk to your doctor.

Does PrEP work for trans folks?

Yes, PrEP can be an effective way for trans and gender diverse people to take some of the worry out of sex and prevent HIV. PrEP is safe to take with different types of hormone therapy.

Research on using PrEP after gender affirming surgery is limited. Most guidelines suggest that trans people who have had gender affirming surgeries should wait 21 days for PrEP to be effective for front hole sex.

Does PrEP work if I use recreational/street drugs?

PrEP is safe to take if you are using recreational or street drugs, and it can be a good way to prevent HIV if you sometimes share needles.

If I take PrEP, do I still have to use condoms?

PrEP will protect you from HIV but it will not protect you from other STIs or from getting pregnant. Using PrEP and condoms together is good for your sexual health.

 

What is PrEP?

PrEP is a once-a-day pill that prevents HIV infection by stopping the virus from spreading in your body. For people who do not have HIV, PrEP is another option for preventing HIV and maintaining your health. You can read more information about how PrEP works here.

 

What is PrEPStart?

The PrEPStart program provides three months of PrEP free for people who do not have a drug plan. It allows you to start PrEP right away and gives you three months to find the drug plan that’s right for you.

 

Why create PrEPStart?

Most people in Ontario already have a private or public drug plan that will cover all or most of the cost of PrEP. However, some people don’t have drug coverage and are not sure of the best way to pay for PrEP. PrEPStart was created to give those individuals access to PrEP while they figure out which private or public drug program is best for them.

Although Ontario does not cover the full cost of PrEP for everyone, there are many public drug plans that can give you access to PrEP at little or no cost.

PrEPStart gives you a free three-month starter pack of PrEP while you figure out which plan is best for you. It also provides information on the different ways to pay for PrEP and will connect you with someone who can help you apply for ongoing drug coverage.

 

At SanoMed Medical Clinic in Downtown Toronto, we are committed to providing the highest quality care to our patients. That’s why we offer industry-leading PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) consultation and medication to help prevent the transmission of HIV.

PrEP is a daily medication that can be taken to reduce the risk of HIV infection. It is a highly effective tool for preventing HIV transmission and is recommended for individuals at high risk of infection, such as those sexually active with HIV-positive partners or who engage in high-risk behaviours.

If you are interested in learning more about PrEP and whether it may be suitable for you, we encourage you to contact our clinic for a consultation. You may qualify for free PrEP consultation and medication. Our team is here to support you and help you take control of your health and well-being. So, if you want to protect yourself from HIV, don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about PrEP and how it can help you.

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