Stopping HIV with PrEP

• PrEP is a pill that protects you from HIV. If you take it the right way, you won’t get HIV. Even if you have sex with someone who has HIV.
• You can take a pill every day. Or do that only when you have sex – before and after. Choose what’s best for you. You could switch between the 2 methods.
• You can get PrEP through your own doctor or a GGD health centre. Read more about getting PrEP
• PrEP is safe and has few side effects.
• It’s important that you and your doctor keep an eye on your health while you’re taking PrEP.

PrEP is very effective in protecting you from HIV, as long as you take the pills at the right time. PrEP doesn’t protect you against other STIs.

The pill itself is small, and usually easy to swallow. You have to take it every day. Or whenever you have sex. If you don’t do that, it won’t protect you properly.

You can take PrEP in 2 different ways: 1 pill every day, or 4 pills when you have sex. Decide what’s easiest for you. You could also switch between methods.

PrEP is for people who are at greater risk of HIV. Particularly if you’re a man who has sex with men or a trans person.

You can get PrEP through your own doctor or a GGD health centre, picking up the pills at a pharmacy. Talk to your doctor or nurse about whether you should take PrEP.

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PrEP is safe to use. But just like any other medicine, it may have side effects. Especially when you start taking it.

You might then have:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Stomach aches
• And occasionally: kidney problems

Most of the symptoms disappear after a while.