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PrEP (Effectively prevents HIV)

PrEP is a medication that effectivly prevents HIV.

  • PrEP significantly reduces your chances of contracting HIV
  • PrEP is newly licensed and available in the UK
  • PrEP can either be taken daily or 'when required'

*Please note images are for illustration purposes and the packaging you receive may differ

Strength i

  • 200mg/245mg

Generic or branded i

  • Emtricitabine/Tenofovir (Generic PrEP)

£59.99 (£2.00 per tablet)

In Stock

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Our Doctor says...

The chances of contracting HIV are significantly reduced by taking PrEP. We're really pleased to announce that PrEP is now available for those with a private prescription in the UK. You can either take it regularly or as and when you think it will be required.

Dr. Alex Phelan Pharmacy2U Online Doctor

More information about PrEP

An introduction to PrEP, by Dr Nitin Shori

PrEP is a method of preventing infection from the HIV virus. It stands for "Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis". If you don't have HIV but you're at a high risk of contracting HIV through sexual contact or drug use, then PrEP could help. PrEP combines two active ingredients and has previously been available as 'Truvada', a branded product. You can now get it as a generic medicine which works in the same way and contains the same ingredients.

How does PrEP work?

The active ingredients in PrEP are called emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil. They work by helping to prevent the HIV infection from taking hold. Regularly taking PrEP on a daily basis means it's in your system before sex, which can reduce the chance of contracting HIV if you're exposed to it. Although PrEP is very effective, it may not stop you getting HIV, and it doesn't prevent any other sexually transmitted infections. So you should ideally combine taking PrEP with safer sex practices (e.g. condoms).

Who is PrEP for?

PrEP is only suitable for people who are HIV negative before they start taking the tablets. Taking PrEP may benefit men who have sex with men, trans men and women, people with partners from areas of the world where the risk of HIV is much higher and those who don't always use a condom during sex.

Who shouldn't take PrEP?

PrEP can reduce your kidney function, so if you have any problems with your kidneys you must tell the doctor. It can also affect bone density, causing a slight thinning of the bones. Both of these changes have been found to have reversed when the treatment is stopped.

How do you take PrEP?

PrEP comes in tablet form and can either be taken as a regular once-daily tablet, or 'on demand'. Taking a daily PrEP tablet ensures that you've always got some of the medicine in your body. This will help to limit the risk of infection from HIV. This may be the most suitable way to take it for those who are at risk of being exposed to HIV on 4 or more occasions in a week. Another way of taking PrEP is just when it's needed, or 'on demand'. The dosage for this is 2 tablets to be taken between 2 to 24 hours before sex. Then 1 tablet 24 hours after sex, and another tablet 48 hours after sex. However, this way of taking PrEP has only been studied in gay and bisexual men, and is not recommended for heterosexual people, trans men who are having vaginal sex, or people with hepatitis B infection. If you have been exposed to HIV infection but haven't taken PrEP beforehand in either of these ways, then you should contact your doctor, sexual health clinic, or local A&E department immediately, as you may need a different type of treatment ("post-exposure prophylaxis"). This is a different combination of medicines that is best taken as soon as possible after exposure.

How effective is PrEP?

PrEP is up to 99% effective in preventing HIV, when taken correctly.

What are the side effects from taking PrEP?

Most people taking PrEP do not experience any significant side effects. Potentially common side effects can include: Headaches, Diarrhoea, Mild nausea, and Bloating. PrEP can reduce your kidney function so if you have any problems with your kidneys you must tell the doctor. It can also affect bone density, causing a slight thinning of the bones. Both of these changes have been found to have reversed when the treatment is stopped. If you have any concerns regarding your treatment, contact your doctor in the first instance. Read the leaflet carefully before starting this or any course of treatment.

FAQs

It just means you can use it occasionally, rather than regularly. If you're taking PrEP on an 'on demand' basis then the tablet should be taken between 2 and 24 hours before you plan on having sex. After you've had sex, you'll then have to take a tablet 24 hours later and another tablet 24 hours after that.

Although PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV, it doesn't completely eradicate the chance of contracting the virus. Therefore it's still recommended that you practice safe sex. Contact your local sexual health clinic if you want to learn more.