What is PrEP?
- PrEP = Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: Medication that helps HIV-negative people prevent HIV transmission through sex or injection drug use.
- Effectiveness: Up to 99% effective when used consistently.
- Monitoring: Requires quarterly HIV and blood tests to check kidney/liver health (for oral PrEP) or before injections.
Who Should Consider PrEP?
You may benefit from PrEP if:
- You have unprotected sex
- You have multiple partners
- You’re unsure of your partner(s)’ HIV status
- You use alcohol or other drugs during sex
- You are in a relationship with an HIV-positive partner who isn’t yet undetectable
- You use and/or share injection equipment
|
Medication |
How It’s Taken |
Dosing Schedule |
Who It’s Best For |
Missed Doses |
|
Truvada (Pills) |
Orally |
1 pill daily |
People of all genders who are at risk for HIV |
Must be taken at least 4x/week for effectiveness |
|
Descovy (Pills) |
Orally |
1 pill daily |
Cisgender men & trans women (not approved for people at risk through receptive vaginal sex) |
Similar to Truvada |
|
Cabotegravir (Apretude) (Injection) |
Injection into the muscle |
Oral lead-in for 1 month → 1st injection → 2nd injection after 1 month → then every 2 months |
People of all genders at risk for HIV People who have trouble remembering daily pills |
7-day window to reschedule injection; >7 days may need to restart |
|
Lenacapavir (Yeztugo) (Injection) |
Injection under the skin |
Day 1: 2 injections + 2 tablets → Day 2: 2 tablets → then injection every 6 months |
People who prefer very infrequent dosing |
If >2 weeks late, take weekly oral backup until injection resumes; if >28 weeks without injection/backup, restart initiation |
Side Effects
Truvada & Descovy (oral PrEP)
- Possible: upset stomach, headache, weight changes, decreased bone mineral density, kidney or liver strain (monitored by quarterly tests).
- Usually mild and improve over time.
Apretude (cabotegravir)
- Common: pain, redness or swelling at the injection site.
- Other possible: fever, fatigue, headache, rash, muscle aches.
- Rare: liver issues (monitored with labs).
Yeztugo (lenacapavir)
- Most common: injection site reactions (swelling, pain, itching, hardening under skin).
- Other possible: headache, nausea, tiredness.
- In rare cases: allergic reactions, digestive issues.
Most side effects are manageable and temporary. It is important that, while taking PrEP, you always report severe, persistent, or uncomfortable side effects to your healthcare provider. Do not stop or change your PrEP regimen without consulting your provider.
Paying for PrEP
Most insurance, including Medicaid, covers PrEP. If cost is a concern:
For oral Truvada & Descovy
- With insurance:
- Gilead Co-pay Assistance (helps with co-pays)
- Without insurance:
- Gilead Advancing Access Patient Assistance
- PrEP-AP (PrEP Assistance Program)
- ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program)
For Injectable Apretude (cabotegravir)
- ViiV Connect Program may provide medication at no cost if eligible.
- Medicaid covers Apretude.
For Injectable Yeztugo (lenacapavir)
- Advancing Access Co-Pay Savings Program (for commercially insured individuals)
- Helps reduce out-of-pocket costs (copays, possibly other patient cost sharing) to as low as $0 for eligible people. Gilead+2Yeztugo HCP+2
- Medication Assistance / Patient Assistance Program (for uninsured or underinsured people)
- For people without insurance, there is a Gilead program (Advancing Access PAP/MAP) that may provide Yeztugo free of charge if eligibility criteria are met. yeztugo.com+2Gilead+2
- Medicaid also covers Yeztugo.
