Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is PEP?
Who Should Use It?
When to Call Your Doctor
How Do You Take PEP?
Paying for PEP
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
PEP is a way to help prevent the transmission of HIV in an HIV-negative person who may have been recently exposed to the virus. PEP consists of taking three HIV antiviral drugs for 28 days after exposure to the virus. These drugs include:
Ideally, the medication should be started immediately, within one–two hours of exposure.
What Is HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)?
PEP is only intended for emergencies and should not be used if you are regularly exposed to HIV.
Other groups that may need PEP are:
Of note, if you are pregnant and have been exposed to HIV, your doctor will prescribe PEP with raltegravir instead of dolutegravir to limit the risk of birth defects.
PEP is highly effective. If side effects last for more than two weeks, contact a healthcare professional.
Possible side effects from PEP include:
Talk to a healthcare provider if you develop a fever or rash during or after PEP use, as this may be a sign that the medication has not worked and you are experiencing the first symptoms of acute HIV infection.
PEP is not 100% effective, so there are times when the drug will not prevent you from acquiring the virus.
The following symptoms may signal the acute phase of HIV infection:
If you experience any of these symptoms while on PEP, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
PEP consists of three drugs that you take one–two times per day for 28 days. Ideally, the first dose of PEP should be administered immediately, within two hours but no later than 72 hours after an exposure, because the effectiveness of PEP decreases over time.
It is important to take all the doses—at the right time and in the right way—to give PEP the best chance of working.
If you do not have insurance, you may be able to take advantage of a drug company’s patient assistance program to help with payment.
If you are on PEP, a healthcare professional will ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment within 72 hours. Your appointment will include:
Repeat HIV testing will be obtained 30 days and 90 days after exposure. Testing should be performed using a fourth-generation HIV test. If a fourth-generation test is unavailable, an older test may be used along with more frequent follow-up appointments to limit the possibility of a false-negative result.
Repeat HIV testing should be obtained at six weeks, 12 weeks, and six months minimum. Sometimes these repeat tests are in addition to testing at 30 days and 90 days.
If you test positive or develop symptoms of acute retroviral syndrome, an HIV viral load may be obtained.
A Word From Verywell
Although HIV rates have dropped substantially in the past decade, HIV transmission still remains a concern. In order to help prevent contracting the virus, it’s important to practice safer sex, use condoms, take precautions when working around body fluid samples, and avoid the use of unsterile equipment—including needles.
PEP should not be used as a regular means of preventing the transmission of HIV, and it does not prevent the spread of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms, when used properly, are the most effective way of preventing HIV and most other STIs.
Having a candid conversation about condom use and STI testing is not only helpful in preventing STIs but is often integral to a happy and healthy sex life. If you or a loved one suspects that you have come into contact with someone who is HIV positive, seek immediate medical attention.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Hoenigl M, Green N, Camacho M, et al.Signs or symptoms of acute hiv infection in a cohort undergoing community-based screening - volume 22, number 3—march 2016 - emerging infectious diseases journal - cdc.doi:10.3201/eid2203.151607
DeHaan E.Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection. Baltimore (MD): Johns Hopkins University; 2020 Jun.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
