is an additional prevention strategy to reduce the chances of contracting HIV.
It comes in two forms: oral pills or injection fluid.
It only protects you against HIV, not against other sexually transmitted infections (STI) like syphilis or gonorrhoea. Condoms provide the most effective barrier to HIV and are also the best way of reducing your chances of picking up or passing on other STI.
Taking PrEP will require you to follow up regularly with a doctor. As it is a prescribed medication, a screening test is required. This consists of blood tests for HIV, kidney, liver, and others. In rare cases a person can be allergic to PrEP. This is why the screening test is important before taking that first tablet – the last thing we want to happen is for you to be in the hospital.
Commonly sold as Truvada (image is used for display purposes only)
Commonly sold as Descovy (image is used for display purposes only)
Commonly sold as Apretude (image is used for display purposes only)
Commonly sold as Yeztugo (image is used for display purposes only)
How does PrEP work?
PrEP works by blocking HIV from replicating itself in the body. It is taken before a potential exposure to HIV can happen during sex.
Is PrEP effective?
Three studies were done to assess the effectiveness of oral PrEP:
Two studies were done to assess the effectiveness of injectable PrEP:
In summary, PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV transmissions.
Are there side effects from PrEP?
Common side effects include:
You should tell your doctor if these side effects do not go away.
Serious side effects include:
These are usually reversible once PrEP is stopped.
Does PrEP interact with other medications?
PrEP is safe with most medication, including hormone therapy.
However:
Drugs that impede absorption (e.g. laxatives, charcoal) will reduce PrEP’s efficacy.
Interactions with injectable PrEP are more complicated, refer to this online drug interaction checker: https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/checker
Inform your doctor of all medications and supplements before starting on PrEP.
Am I eligible for PrEP?
Anyone is eligible for PrEP!
What should I do before starting PrEP?
It is mandatory to get tested with a 4th generation HIV test before starting PrEP. This is to ensure you are HIV-negative as PrEP can put you at risk of developing antiretroviral resistance if there is an undiagnosed HIV infection.
PrEP is technically HIV medication but it is not enough to treat the virus on its own if you are HIV-positive before or during your PrEP journey. In this case, PrEP should be stopped and linkage to care for HIV treatment has to be done instead.
Truvada, which is the original brand name combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine (TDF and FTC) manufactured by Gilead, is prescribed by default. It costs approximately $400 per month.
Lenacapavir and cabotegravir are available in Singapore but are currently not subsidised.
The internet can offer consumers a convenient and less expensive way to access medicines. However, online purchases of medicines should be approached with caution.
Medicines available on international websites are not regulated by the local authorities. You need to (as far as possible) ensure that the website is legitimate, otherwise there are possible risks such as receiving fake, expired, or illegally manufactured medicines. Medical information from the internet should also never replace consultation with your doctor and should be interpreted with caution.
Below are some private clinics we trust:
For more information on lenacapavir for injectable PrEP, please visit this page from the World Health Organization’s website.
For more information on importing medicines for personal use, please visit this page from the Health Science Authority’s website.
For more information on Truvada or generic tenofovir and emtricitabine (TDF and FTC) for PrEP, talk to Action for AIDS, your doctor or sexual health clinic.
