Getting your PrEP online
Before you start
- Have an HIV test – ask for a ‘4th generation’ or ‘antigen/antibody’ HIV test as well as the finger-prick test, and have both on the day you start
- Get your kidneys checked – you need a blood test for ‘creatinine’, and a urine dipstick test for protein ideally just before or on the day you start
- Check your status for hepatitis B – you may need to be vaccinated if you have not completed a course, or you may need a booster. If you have chronic hepatitis B infection then you need to speak to a doctor/nurse as there is a small risk of your liver flaring up if you stop and start PrEP
DO
- Tell the nurse or doctor that you see in the sexual health clinic what you are planning and discuss the different ways you can take PrEP
- Check out prepster.info and www.iwantprepnow.co.uk for advice on buying drug online; http://i-base.info/qa/10734 is also a useful website
DON’T
- Start PrEP if you have a flu-like illness, until you have ruled out HIV infection – you could be newly infected when virus is multiplying very quickly. If you expose virus to a little bit of drug at this stage, it’s much more likely to become resistant to the drug.
Already started PrEP
Every 3-4 months
- Have an HIV test – ask for a ‘4th generation’ or ‘antigen/antibody’ HIV test
- Have a full screen for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Have a urine dipstick test for protein when you have your STI check up; if there is more than a trace, an additional blood or urine test can be sent off for kidney function
Once a year
- Have a blood test to check your kidney function
DO
- Talk to the nurse or doctor or health advisor about the risks you are taking, and how you manage your PrEP around these risks. They can refer you for extra support
- Tell the nurse or doctor if your health has changed, or if you start new medications
- Keep using other ways to reduce the risk of catching sexually transmitted infections. This includes using condoms as often as you can
DON’T
- Keep taking PrEP just because it’s easy. If you are no longer taking risks then you don’t need PrEP
