HIV Basics
Regimen Options for Prevention
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
What It Is
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of HIV medication designed to stop HIV from establishing an infection in your body after a possible exposure.
Timing Matters
PEP must be started within 72 hours (3 Days) of exposure, ideally starting as soon as possible, because HIV can begin to replicate and integrate into your cells within that time frame.
Once HIV enters the body, it targets immune cells (specifically CD4 cells), and within a few days, it begins to copy itself and spread. If left untreated, the virus can establish a permanent infection. That's why timing is critical. PEP works by blocking the virus before it fully takes hold and starts to mutate.
What is a Possible Exposure
- Condom breaking
- Swabbing bodily fluids like blood, vaginal or anal secretions, cum and precum
- Sharing Needles
- Accidental sticks from used needles
- Certain workplace incidents
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
What It Is
PrEP is a once-daily pill OR a twice-yearly long-acting injection that helps prevent HIV before exposure.
When taken as prescribed, PrEP is more than 99% effective.
PrEP is recommended for individuals who:
- Do not always use condoms
- Have sex partners with unknown HIV status
- Have taken PEP multiple times
- Have a recent STI diagnosis
- Have a partner living with HIV
- Inject drugs
- Share needles
ANYONE can be a Candidate for PrEP!
PrEP Medications
Truvada®
Apretude®
Truvada®
(emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, F/TDF)
Daily oral tablet
Approved in July 2012 for HIV PrEP in adults (later adolescents)
Approved in Aug 2004 for combination use to treat HIV
🩸 Needs daily adherence.
🩸 Generic versions now available.
Descovy®
Apretude®
Truvada®
(emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide, F/TAF)
Daily oral tablet
Approved in Oct 2019 for HIV PrEP
Approved in April 2016 for combination use to treat HIV
🩸 Comparable efficacy to Truvada.
🩸 May have fewer side effects on kidneys and bone.
🩸Not approved for people who are at risk through receptive vaginal sex.
Apretude®
Apretude®
Apretude®
Long-acting injection every 2 months
Approved in Dec 2021 for HIV PrEP
Approved in Jan 2021 for combination use to treat HIV (Cabotegravir)
🩸 Superior HIV Protection over Truvada.
🩸 Administered every 2 months after initiation.
🩸 Good option if taking daily pills is a challenge.
Yeztugo®
Apretude®
Apretude®
Long-acting injection twice yearly
Approved in June 2025 for HIV PrEP
Approved in Dec 2022 for combination use to treat HIV (Sunlenca)
🩸 Administered every 6 months.
🩸 Offers a new alternative for people who have difficulty with frequent dosing.
Getting Started
Thanks to our participation in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, we’re able to offer all forms of PrEP completely free of charge to our qualifying patients.
This includes no out-of-pocket cost: regular labs, HIV testing, and provider visits
The 340B program allows us to stretch federal resources to serve underserved communities. That means no insurance? No problem. We’ll help you access and stay on PrEP without financial barriers.
LETS GET STARTED!
1. Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your risk factors and preferences.
2. We’ll conduct prescribed baseline labs and HIV testing.
3. Together, we’ll recommend the best PrEP option—oral daily, bimonthly shot, or twice-yearly injection (Yeztugo).
4. Follow up visits every 2–3 months ensure ongoing safety, monitoring, and support.
