Overview

If you are at risk of being infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), you and your doctor can decide if you can take medicines that may lower your risk. Taking these medicines is called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Two common ways that people can have a higher risk are:

• Having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV.
• Sharing needles or other injection supplies with someone who has HIV.

Many provincial and private health insurance plans cover the cost of these medicines. In provinces that don't fully cover the cost, you may be able to pay less for PrEP medicines. There are programs that provide PrEP for free or at a lower cost for people who need help paying for it.

How does PrEP work?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can help prevent an HIV infection from spreading in your body. You may take it daily as a pill. Two medicines are combined in one pill called TDF/FTC - tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and emtricitabine (FTC). In Alberta, these medications are available at no cost to individuals at risk of HIV infection. You must stay on schedule for it to help protect you from HIV. If you skip a pill, PrEP doesn't work as well to block the virus. Do not share your medicine with other people.

You will have regular visits with your doctor. They will check to see how you are doing while taking the medicine. You'll be tested for HIV. Your doctor may also talk to you about other steps you can take to avoid HIV infection. These include practicing safer sex and not sharing needles or other injection supplies.

How well does PrEP work?

Taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) does not remove all risk of getting HIV. It also doesn’t prevent the spread of other sexually transmitted infections or hepatitis. While you take PrEP, avoid risky actions. Don't have unprotected sex or share needles.

PrEP can help you have a baby safely when your partner has an HIV infection. It can help prevent the infection from spreading to you or your baby. Your doctor can discuss this and other options with you.

PrEP only works well if you take it exactly as directed. If you get HIV while you're taking PrEP, it can make HIV harder to treat.

You can still get HIV while taking PrEP. You can reduce the chance of that happening by using condoms and new, clean injection supplies.