PrEP/PEP

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication taken daily that can be used to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection by preventing the virus from taking hold and spreading throughout the body.

 

PrEP can reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV by more than 90% and can reduce the risk of HIV among people who inject drugs by more than 70%.

Is PrEP right for you?
PrEP may be an excellent option to help you stay HIV negative if any of the following are true:

• You have an HIV positive partner.
• You have multiple partners, or a partner with multiple partners, and do not use condoms.
• You are having sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown.
• You use condoms sometimes or not at all.
• You have recently had an STI or STD in your anus or vagina.
• You share or have shared injection drug equipment.
• You don’t always use a condom for sex with people who inject drugs.
• You don’t always use a condom for sex with a gay, bisexual, or queer man.
• You are a woman who is trying to safely have a child with an HIV positive partner.

How does PrEP work?

PrEP works by blocking an enzyme called HIV reverse transcriptase. This prevents HIV from making more copies of itself and establishing an infection in the body. PrEP is taken once daily as an oral pill. Maximum protection comes from taking the pill every day at the same time each day. Effectiveness decreases if the pill is taken off schedule or if a day is missed.

Two oral medications are FDA-approved for daily PrEP. Truvada was approved in 2012 and has proven both effective and safe for hundreds of thousands of patients. In 2019, Descovy was approved for PrEP. It is also safe and effective, and might offer some advantages for persons with pre-existing medical conditions.

Once prescribed PrEP, it is recommended to visit your doctor every three months for repeat HIV tests, prescriptions refills, and follow up.

What’s the process?

The PrEP Coordinators work with clients’ current PCP (Primary Care Provider) or identify a provider who will prescribe.  Your doctor will order you a series of labs before writing a prescription for one of the PrEP medications. 

 

How will I Pay for PrEP?

If you have OHP, the labs and medication costs are completely covered. Costs can vary if you have other types of insurance, but no matter what type of coverage you do or don’t have, the PrEP Navigators at HIV Alliance are here to help! 

 

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) also prevents HIV, but is prescribed to those who have already come into contact with HIV.

The Oregon Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Plan 2017-2021, which serves as the official guide for HIV care and prevention in Oregon, included culturally competent HIV/STI testing and PrEP navigation as key objectives for “achieving HIV prevention, care, and treatment goals.”

 

Contact Us About PrEP

If you have any questions about PrEP/PEP, the process, or how you will pay for these medications, please contact prevention@allianceor.org to reach a PrEP coordinator or complete the contact form below.