Approved by healthcare professionals

What is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a pill people who are HIV-negative can take to protect themselves from HIV.

You have two different ways for ensuring you are 99% protected from HIV:

Option 1: Daily use

You can choose to take one pill every day, it takes 7 days for you to be fully protected.

The accompanying illustration shows a mobile phone with an alter to take PrEP daily. 

Option 2: On the fly

Only eligible for anal sex

  1. Take two tablets 2-24 hours before sex
  2. Take one tablet 24 hours after sex
  3. Take one tablet 48 hours after sex

PrEP works by stopping HIV from getting into your body and making copies of itself. You must take PrEP as directed by your healthcare professional to build up enough protection inside your body to keep you HIV-negative.

PrEP is now available for free on the NHS. You can contact your local sexual health clinic to book an appointment and find out if it is the right option for you.