Intro
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention tool in which an HIV-negative person takes antiretroviral medication to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV through sex by about 99% and reduces the risk among people who inject drugs by at least 74%. Currently, there are three FDA-approved medications for PrEP: Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine), Descovy (tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine) and Apretude (extended-release cabotegravir). Descovy has not yet been approved for individuals at risk of HIV from receptive vaginal sex. Truvada and Descovy are both taken daily as an oral tablet; Apretude is a long acting-injectable administered by a health care worker every two months.
Check out these tips for taking PrEP.
