Information About Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis PrEP
HIV may be prevented by using barrier methods (condoms, clean needles) to segregate fluids that
contain infectious virus from entering the body. Added protection can be achieved by taking
antiretroviral medications that put up a secondary level of defense inside the body.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved and Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
recommended the use of a combination antiretroviral medicine in 2012 to prevent HIV infection. Called
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP there is currently only one medication regimen approved for PrEP.
The pill, called Truvada, is a combination of two medicines- emtricitabine (also called Emtriva or FTC)
and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (also called Viread or TDF).
There are some side effects associated with Truvada.
It is important to undergo screening tests and periodic follow-up tests to decrease the problems that are
possible with this medicine.
The following systems will be checked with blood tests periodically:
 Kidney function (eCrCl should be ≥60 ml/min)
 Liver function
 Bone density (DEXA scans or other assessments of bone health are not recommended For
monitoring during use of PrEP.
Some other medicines may require a change in Truvada dosing.
 People who take the following medicines should be monitored closely when taking TruvadaAcyclovir, valacyclovir, cidofovir, ganciclovir, valganciclovir, gentamycin, tobramycin,
 People on the following medicines should not take TruvadaMedicines containing lamivudine (Combivir, Epivir, Epivir-HBV, Epzicom, Trizivir)
Medicines containing adefovir (HEPSERA)
Testing for liver, kidney and other possible side-effects as well as testing for pregnancy and infections,
including HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis and other STD’s are required every three months.
Medication adherence
In order to be effective the pill must be taken daily, and not just before exposure.
It is most important to take the medicine every day. Studies have shown that Truvada is not effective in
preventing HIV infection if it is not taken consistently. It should not be taken intermittently. Like daily
birth control pills, missed doses may result in failure. It must be added to your daily routine. Putting it by
a toothbrush or setting it by your alarm clock may help.
Behavioral risk reduction
The medication is most effective when used with consistent use of condoms and/or clean needles.
It is important to use condoms with all potential sexual exposures. The greatest sexual risk behavior is
associated with anal sex. Reducing exposure risk is important through regular use of condoms and by
using clean needles*.
*If new needles are not available, it is best to reuse only your own. If this is not possible, disinfecting needles and syringes,
does not guarantee that HIV or other infections are inactivated, but consistent disinfection of injection equipment with bleach
will reduce transmission of HIV.