Pre- Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

What is PrEP?

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, uses FDA-approved medications to prevent you from contracting HIV if you’re at risk because of certain sexual behaviors or injection drug use. During treatment, you take daily antiretroviral medicines used to treat HIV as a prevention strategy. 

At Elevate Health Group, the team offers PrEP treatment to adults and adolescents with medication from Truvada, Descovy, and Cabenuva. Depending on your needs, your provider can discuss the best option for you. 

While some medications you can take orally once a day, some require your provider to inject the medication once every month or two months. 

When you’re exposed to HIV, these medications help keep the virus from establishing permanent infection within your body. PrEP services available at Elevate Health Group ensure patient convenience and privacy.

What are the risk factors for HIV/AIDS?

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It can lead to serious or life-threatening complications if left untreated. HIV risk factors include:

• Having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
• Sharing needles
• Using IV drugs
• Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD)

While avoiding risky behaviors is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of HIV/AIDS, PrEP is also an option if you’d like reassurance for disease prevention. 

How effective is PrEP?

When taking PrEP tablets, or having injections, they provide a highly effective HIV-prevention strategy. Studies show that PrEP can reduce your risk of contracting HIV from sexual intercourse by about 99%, and your risk of getting HIV from injection drugs by at least 74%*. 

For prescription PrEP medication, your provider makes sure that you take your medication in recommended dosages consistently to ensure it works as it’s designed. If you're having PrEP injectables, your provider lets you know when to schedule your next follow-up appointments. 

What should I expect during PrEP treatment?

Prior to PrEP treatment, your provider at Elevate Health Group reviews your medical history and may order lab work. They evaluate your labs, ask about your lifestyle habits, and discuss any medications you may take. 

It’s important to let your provider know if you’re taking any medications, supplements, or herbal medicines to prevent any adverse interactions while undergoing Truvada, Descovy, or Cabenuva medication therapy. 

If you’re a good candidate for PrEP treatment, your provider prescribes or injects the medication to help prevent you from contracting HIV.

To learn more about PrEP treatment at Elevate Health Group and find out if it’s right for you, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

*Individual results may vary