PrEP is a daily pill that is 99% effective at preventing the transmission of HIV.
PrEP is approved in Canada and requires a prescription. The two forms of PrEP are Truvada & Descovy.
Only 1-10% of patients on PrEP experience side effects. Most symptoms tend to go away within 1-2 weeks naturally.
PrEP only protects against HIV, not other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis.
The vast majority of Freddie patients get PrEP prescribed online & discreetly delivered for $0.
“PrEP is like birth control, but for HIV prevention.”
PrEP is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a once-per-day HIV prevention pill that reduces the risk of contracting HIV by up to 99%. The presence of the medicine in your bloodstream helps stop HIV from taking hold, ensuring you remain HIV-negative.
PrEP can be taken by anyone that is not HIV+ and is looking for additional protection against HIV. This includes men who have sex with men, transgender women, and gender-diverse communities. PrEP may be a fit for you if you:
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Don’t use condoms consistently
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Share drug injection equipment
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Don’t know the HIV status of your sexual partners
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Have more than one or anonymous sexual partners
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Tested positive for infectious syphilis or a bacterial STI in the last year
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Have used post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) more than once
It’s recommended to speak with a PrEP provider to decide if PrEP is a fit for your needs. Book a free virtual consultation now!
PrEP is a daily pill that is 99% effective at preventing the transmission of HIV.
PrEP is approved in Canada and requires a prescription. The two forms of PrEP are Truvada & Descovy.
Only 1-10% of patients on PrEP experience side effects. Most symptoms tend to go away within 1-2 weeks naturally.
PrEP only protects against HIV, not other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis.
The vast majority of Freddie patients get PrEP prescribed online & discreetly delivered for $0.
PrEP is a pill that is taken orally. There are two methods for taking PrEP to prevent HIV.
Daily PrEP is the most common type of PrEP prescription and is 99% effective. Simply take 1 PrEP pill every 24 hours for maximum protection. It’s recommended to take daily PrEP at the same time every day.
Most providers in Canada will choose to prescribe daily PrEP as evidence suggests it is most effective in preventing HIV.
The vast majority of Freddie patients pay $0 to get their PrEP prescribed online and discreetly delivered.
PrEP on-demand is less commonly prescribed because it requires careful planning and tracking of sexual activity - and we know sex isn’t always planned. Studies show that it is effective at preventing HIV, but there is a higher chance of missed doses or low drug levels that might make it not quite as effective as daily PrEP. But if you and your prescriber think it’s right for you, it is a great way to prevent HIV.
PrEP on-demand does not require daily intake. This is ideal for someone who can’t access a sufficient supply of PrEP due to cost or if they have predictable and fluctuating sexual behaviour.
To take PrEP on-demand, you must take a total of 4 pills in the following order:
Pills 1-2
Take two PrEP pills 2-24 hours before sexual contact
Pill 3
Wait 24 hours and take PrEP pill 3
Pill 4
Wait 24 hours and take PrEP pill 4
The vast majority of Freddie patients pay $0 to get their PreP prescribed online and discreetly delivered.
GET PrEP NOWIf you are considering PrEP, it’s recommended you chat with your PrEP provider to determine which method best fits your needs.
PrEP is considered safe for the vast majority of people that take the medication.
Some of the possible short-term side effects attributed to PrEP medication include nausea, headaches, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Trials show that these side effects impact between 1% and 10% of people on PrEP, and that they are generally mild and clear up on their own within a week or two. This only applies to PrEP in the form of generic Truvada. Descovy, the newest form of PrEP, had lower rates of side effects in studies.
Have more questions about the potential side effects with PrEP? Book a free consultation to talk to a licensed medical professional today.
In a small number of people, PrEP has resulted in a decrease in kidney function and bone density.
Fortunately, even in these cases, there was no increase in the risk of kidney failure and these effects were reversed after they stopped taking PrEP. If you’re concerned about side effects, consider taking Descovy, the newest form of PrEP with even fewer side effects.
Regular lab testing while on PrEP is incredibly important to make sure that PrEP is well tolerated. For example, frequent HIV testing makes sure that you aren’t HIV+ and taking PrEP; PrEP is only for patients who aren’t HIV+, since taking PrEP can make medication intended for HIV treatment less effective.
All patients on PrEP are required to get tested every 3 months to renew their prescriptions. This testing also keeps you updated on your status for other STIs and any interactions with other medications you’re taking.
Have more questions about the potential side effects of PrEP? Book a free consultation to talk to a licensed medical professional today.
Some patients with limited kidney function have been unable to take PrEP in the past. Fortunately, Descovy, the newest PrEP formula, is 99% effective at preventing HIV and has even fewer potential side effects.
The creation of Descovy now allows for those with pre-existing conditions to take PrEP. Descovy can be taken by almost anyone, even if they have pre-existing conditions. 85% of Freddie patients with private insurance pay $0 for Descovy.
It is important to let your clinician know about any medications, supplements, or recreational drugs that you are taking to ensure that any potential drug interactions are considered before starting PrEP.
The price of PrEP medication varies depending on the province or territory you live in and the type of insurance you have. With Freddie, most patients get PrEP + discreet delivery for $0.
Freddie is currently only available in:
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Alberta
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British Columbia*
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Manitoba
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Ontario
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Saskatchewan
*Due to provincial regulations, Freddie can only serve patients with private insurance in British Columbia at this time.
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Coverage through public insurance can vary widely depending on what province you receive healthcare in. Costs can range from $0-$250 for a monthly supply of PrEP.
Freddie has helped thousands of patients navigate insurance & financial assistance to get PrEP for low cost or free. 90% of Freddie patients pay $0 for PrEP!
For the most accurate cost estimate, use our 1-minute PrEP cost calculator.
The vast majority of patients with private insurance can get Descovy, the newest form of PrEP with even fewer side effects, for $0 with Freddie.
Book a free phone consultation to learn more about your options today!
Without any insurance coverage or financial assistance, PrEP is around $250 per month supply.
Worried that the cost of PrEP is a barrier for you? Book a free appointment with us and we’ll help you navigate your options to find the lowest cost possible!
It takes 10+ steps to get PrEP through a doctor in person. With Freddie, get PrEP in only 3 steps.
Short questionnaire and phone call
1
Answer a few questions and book a free appointment with a Freddie clinician (30 minutes)
Complete your lab work
2
Get some basic tests done so we can determine if PrEP is safe for you (it is for the vast majority of people!)
Get your prescription
3
Your results are reviewed by your Freddie clinician. If PrEP is safe for you, your prescription will be delivered confidentially to your door!
Truvada
Descovy
Truvada was the first PrEP formula and was originally developed by Gilead Sciences. There are two types of Truvada available in Canada: Name-brand and generic. The only difference between the two types of Truvada is the manufacturer.
Since the active ingredients are the same and both provide 99% HIV protection, provincial and private insurance usually only cover generic Truvada.
With Freddie, 90% of patients get PrEP for $0.
Descovy is the latest PrEP formula developed by Gilead Sciences to lessen the (few) potential side effects associated with Truvada, particularly with kidney and bone health. There is no generic Descovy available at this time.
If you have private insurance, Freddie can help you get Descovy for free! Descovy is covered by most private insurance plans, and Freddie can help you get your co-pay waived by enrolling you in a financial assistance program.
With Freddie, 85% of patients with private insurance get Descovy for $0.
Due to differences in individual needs, it is important to refer to a healthcare professional and find out which option is best for you.
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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.
