What is PrEP?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a pill that reduces your risk of getting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). If you have a high enough level of PrEP in your system, it works to stop HIV from getting into your body and making copies of itself.

PrEP contains a mix of 2 drugs, tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine.

PrEP can be used by people who do not have HIV. You need to start taking it before you have sex. And how you take it will depend on how you have sex.

PrEP is available free from sexual health clinics.

Written by

Helen Burkitt, Senior Sexual Health and Contraception Nurse