PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)

To be eligible for funded PrEP, you must:

• test negative for HIV
• be male or transgender
• have sex with males
• have unprotected anal sex

If you are not eligible for funded PrEP, you may be able to get a prescription from your healthcare provider.

If you are eligible for PrEP you will have several appointments. 

At your first visit 

The healthcare provider seeing you will:

• confirm your eligibility for PrEP
• ask about your health history, including immunisations 
• ask about your sexual health history
• test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and syphilis
• check your kidney and liver function. 

At your follow up visit 

The results from your first visit will be ready. The healthcare provider seeing you will:

• treat any STIs 
• offer you any immunisations (if required)
• get a prescription for PrEP and instructions on how to take it 
• give you a form to get blood tests done one week before your next visit.

You can arrange your next visit with your GP, usual healthcare provider or a sexual health clinic. 

3-monthly follow up visits

The healthcare provider seeing you will: 

• review the blood tests you had the week before this visit
• ask about your health history 
• check your eligibility for PrEP
• test for STIs and provide any treatment (if required)
• give you a form to get blood tests done one week before your next visit.

PrEP is a pill that you take once a day by mouth (oral). You take it with a meal or just after food. It is helpful to take it at the same time each day to get into a routine. Maximum protection again HIV comes from taking it every day. 

You will need to take PrEP for 7 days in a row before you are protected during anal sex. 

You will need to take it for 20 days in a row before:

• topping
• vaginal sex
• injecting drugs. 

If you miss a dose

If you have forgotten to take your PrEP and you realise within 12 hours, take it as soon as possible. Take the next dose at your usual time. 

If you are more than 12 hours late you should not take the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at your usual time. 

If you throw up (vomit) within one hour of taking PrEP, you should take another dose. You do not need to take another dose if you were sick after one hour of taking the pill. 

If you decide to stop taking PrEP talk to your healthcare provider first. 

To remain protected against HIV, you need to keep taking PrEP for 48 hours after you last had sex, or injected drugs.

Like all medicines PrEP can cause side effects. About 10% of people report mild side effects such as:

• runny poos (diarrhoea)
• throwing up (vomiting)
• feeling sick (nauseous)
• dizziness
• headache
• rash
• feeling weak. 

These side effects usually settle after a few weeks. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you, do not go away, or are not listed above.

Serious side effects 

One of the medicines in the PrEP pill Tenofovir, can affect kidney function. Your kidneys will be monitored while you are taking PrEP. 

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as Ibuprofen and Diclofenac, can increase the risk of kidney damage. Panadol and Codeine are safe alternatives, but you should check with your healthcare provider before taking these. 

If you are taking PrEP, your liver function will also be monitored.