PEP (Post-Exposure Prohylaxis)
PEP (Post-Exposure Prohylaxis) is a treatment you take after contact with HIV. It stops the virus from becoming an illness.
Find out more below.
Find out more below.
'What is PEP?'
PEP is a group of three drugs. These drugs stop HIV from building up. This means you won't become HIV positive.
The three drugs are:
They are most often given as pills, which you take once a day. We might prescribe it in another way, depending on your medical history. We will explain any changes to you at your appointment.
You must start PEP within 72 hours of contact with HIV. In an ideal world, you should start PEP within 24 hours. You will likely need to take PEP for 28 days (four weeks).
PEP is not given to everyone after unprotected sex. We only give it if there is a high risk of HIV spreading.
PEP works well as a treatment, but it doesn't work 100% of the time. It is better to lower your risk before being in contact with HIV. You can do this by taking PrEP.
The three drugs are:
- Tenofovir
- Emtricitabine
- Raltegravir
They are most often given as pills, which you take once a day. We might prescribe it in another way, depending on your medical history. We will explain any changes to you at your appointment.
You must start PEP within 72 hours of contact with HIV. In an ideal world, you should start PEP within 24 hours. You will likely need to take PEP for 28 days (four weeks).
PEP is not given to everyone after unprotected sex. We only give it if there is a high risk of HIV spreading.
PEP works well as a treatment, but it doesn't work 100% of the time. It is better to lower your risk before being in contact with HIV. You can do this by taking PrEP.
'Why Might I Need PEP?'
Most people who come into contact with HIV come in contact through unprotected sex. This can only happen if your partner is not on HIV treatment. If they are, they might have an undetectable viral load. This means they cannot pass HIV to you.
There are other things that can raise your risk HIV contact:
If you are not sure if you need PEP, please get in touch. Our team can help you figure it out.
There are other things that can raise your risk HIV contact:
- Anal sex without a condom
- Sharing needles or other drug equipment
- Having sex with a person from a high risk country
If you are not sure if you need PEP, please get in touch. Our team can help you figure it out.
'How do I get PEP?'
The NHS offers PEP and follow up testing for free.
Call us on 01642 924117 as soon as possible to start post-exposure care. We will book you an urgent appointment in one of our hubs. If you are close to the 72-hour time limit, tell us when you call.
The sooner you take PEP the better. If we are closed, don't wait until we are open to get PEP. You can get if from other places, like the SARC and A&E.
You do not need to have a local address to get PEP from us. If you are in Teesside and you need PEP, please get in touch.
If you are travelling out of the area, seek PEP where you are. Do not delay care until you are back in Teesside. You can access PEP through any sexual health service or A&E in the country.
Call us on 01642 924117 as soon as possible to start post-exposure care. We will book you an urgent appointment in one of our hubs. If you are close to the 72-hour time limit, tell us when you call.
The sooner you take PEP the better. If we are closed, don't wait until we are open to get PEP. You can get if from other places, like the SARC and A&E.
You do not need to have a local address to get PEP from us. If you are in Teesside and you need PEP, please get in touch.
If you are travelling out of the area, seek PEP where you are. Do not delay care until you are back in Teesside. You can access PEP through any sexual health service or A&E in the country.
'How does a PEP appointment work?'
When you have a PEP appointment, there are questions we will ask you. These are to make sure that it is safe to give you PEP.
The questions cover:
These questions might be awkward, but they are important. We can't prescribe PEP without asking them.
The questions cover:
- When you came into contact with HIV
- Your HIV status and the date of your last test
- Details about your partner and their HIV status
- The types of sex you had
- Your medical history
These questions might be awkward, but they are important. We can't prescribe PEP without asking them.
Risks / Side Effects of PEP
Side Effects
There are some side effects to PEP. Most of these are minor and you don't need to treat them. You might experience:
These symptoms shouldn't be too bad. You can take painkillers as normal, if you need them.
You should call us for an urgent review if you get flu-like symptoms. These include a sore throat, a fever, or a rash.
PEP and Other Drugs
PEP can interact with other drugs. Whilst you are taking PEP, you shouldn't take any:
If you take multivitamins, you shouldn't take them with your PEP. You should wait at least two hours after taking your PEP before taking them.
If you take other drugs regularly, please tell us at your first appointment. This is so we can make sure that they don't interact badly with PEP.
There are some side effects to PEP. Most of these are minor and you don't need to treat them. You might experience:
- Feeling sick
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Diarrhoea
- Tiredness
These symptoms shouldn't be too bad. You can take painkillers as normal, if you need them.
You should call us for an urgent review if you get flu-like symptoms. These include a sore throat, a fever, or a rash.
PEP and Other Drugs
PEP can interact with other drugs. Whilst you are taking PEP, you shouldn't take any:
- Recreational drugs
- Herbal remedies
- Antacids
If you take multivitamins, you shouldn't take them with your PEP. You should wait at least two hours after taking your PEP before taking them.
If you take other drugs regularly, please tell us at your first appointment. This is so we can make sure that they don't interact badly with PEP.
'I've missed a dose. What now?'
Missing or skipping doses makes PEP less effective. You should always take PEP for the full 28 days of your prescription.
After a missed dose, what you should do depends on when you remember. If you remember:
After a missed dose, what you should do depends on when you remember. If you remember:
- Within 24 hours, take the dose when you remember
- When you are due your next dose, do not take a double dose. Take the dose you are due and go back to your regular schedule
- Over 48 hours, stop taking PEP. Call us for a review as soon as possible.