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How effective is PrEP?

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PrEP Effectiveness 101

When PrEP is taken daily, it reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by 99%.

When PrEP is taken daily, it reduces the risk of getting HIV from drug injection by 84%.

PrEP is highly effective for anal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for seven days.

PrEP is highly effective for vaginal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for 21 days.

Who is PrEP for?

PrEP can be taken by anyone that is HIV-negative and looking for additional protection against HIV. This includes men who have sex with men, transgender women, and gender-diverse communities.

The most common ways HIV is transmitted are through condomless anal sex, sharing injection equipment, and condomless vaginal sex.

PrEP Effectiveness 101

When PrEP is taken daily, it reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by 99%.

When PrEP is taken daily, it reduces the risk of getting HIV from drug injection by 84%.

PrEP is highly effective for anal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for seven days.

PrEP is highly effective for vaginal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for 21 days.

Anal Sex

Both receptive and insertive partners are at risk for HIV transmission during anal sex.

Drug Injection

People who share injection drug equipment, like needles, cookers, filters, and water, are at higher risk of HIV transmission.

Vaginal Sex

Both receptive and insertive partners are at risk for HIV transmission during vaginal sex.

How effective is PrEP?

What causes PrEP to not be effective?

Research has found that PrEP is less effective when it isn’t taken exactly as prescribed. This lack of protection is because there isn’t enough of the medicine in your body to prevent HIV from spreading.

As PrEP’s efficiency decreases when doses are missed, adherence (taking your medication as prescribed) is essential to maintain maximum levels of protection.

How long does PrEP take to work?

PrEP is not immediately beneficial. Like any other medication, it takes time for it to take effect.

Anal sex (7 days)
PrEP is highly effective for anal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for seven days.

The double dose with PrEP on-demand is thought to rapidly increase drug levels to offer similar protection.

Vaginal sex (21 days)
PrEP is highly effective for vaginal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for 21 days.

Drug Injection (7 days)
This area is less well studied, but PrEP should be highly effective in preventing HIV infection for injection drug use after daily PrEP is taken consistently for seven days.

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What doesn’t PrEP protect against?

PrEP only protects against the transmission of HIV, not other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis.

It’s recommended that you use a condom alongside PrEP to maximize your protection against HIV and other STIs.

Is PrEP effective? YES!

PrEP is considered one of the best tools for HIV prevention and is up to 99% effective at protecting against HIV.

Interested in learning more about PrEP? Freddie has worked with 15,000+ patients to address their questions and concerns. 90% of Freddie patients get PrEP for $0.

Book a free phone consultation with one of our affirming clinicians today!

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FAQs

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Reviewed by:

Dr. Caley Shukalek

Caley is passionate about evidence-based patient-centred care, including telemedicine that can provide high quality care from wherever a patient may choose.

He helped create Alberta’s PrEP guidelines and works as a specialist in General Internal Medicine with additional training in sexual health, including HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

He holds a Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, an MD from the University of Calgary and an MSc from the University of Alberta.