Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) consists of the daily use of a combination of two antiretroviral drugs (tenofovir + emtricitabine), which have a composition similar to those used in the treatment of HIV, which reduces the chances of a person becoming infected by more than 90% when exposed to the virus.
In addition to oral medications, PrEP can also be performed using an injectable medication called cabotegravir, approved this month by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for use in Brazil.
The strategy comprises the so-called combined prevention, which seeks to meet individual needs and contexts in order to prevent new HIV infections, syphilis, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to the concept, the prevention strategy can be more effective when adopted based on the specific characteristics of each person’s moment in life.
Recommendations include the use of male and female condoms, HIV prophylaxis such as PrEP, prevention of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, regular testing, early diagnosis and treatment of infections, in addition to immunization for HPV and hepatitis B, and adherence to harm reduction programs for alcohol and drug users.
What is PrEP?
PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is one of the ways to prevent HIV infection. The measure consists of taking pills before sexual intercourse, which allow the body to be prepared to face possible contact with the virus.
In addition, the person on PrEP performs regular health monitoring, with testing for HIV and other STIs. Regular testing and investigation of signs and symptoms for other STIs allows timely diagnosis and treatment, interrupting the chain of transmission.
According to infectologist and professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), Gustavo Magalhães, the frequency of testing can vary between three months and once a year, depending on the sexual activity of each person.
“The prevention of HIV and other STIs involves a set of actions, it is not just the use of condoms that is also very important. If we test frequently, especially people at high risk, we can detect the infection faster, start treatment and interrupt transmission,” said Gustavo.
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How does PrEP work?
PrEP is a combination of two drugs (tenofovir + emtricitabine) that block the pathways that HIV uses to infect the human body. In this context, there are two indicated modalities: daily PrEP and on-demand PrEP.
Daily PrEP: consists of taking pills daily, continuously, indicated for anyone in a situation of vulnerability to HIV.
PrEP on demand: consists of taking PrEP only when the person has a possible risk exposure to HIV. It should be used with the use of two pills 2 to 24 hours before sexual intercourse, + 1 pill 24 hours after the initial dose of two pills + 1 pill 24 hours after the second dose.
According to the Ministry of Health, on-demand PrEP is indicated for people who habitually have sexual intercourse less than twice a week and are able to plan when sexual intercourse will occur.
Furthermore, scientific evidence supports the safety and efficacy of on-demand PrEP for only certain populations. They are: heterosexual, bisexual, gay, cisgender men and other cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM), non-binary people designated as male at birth, and transvestites and transgender women – who are not using hormones based on estradiol.
The ministry warns that PrEP only has a protective effect if the drug is used as directed by a health professional. Otherwise, there may not be enough concentration of the active substances in the bloodstream, which will not be able to block the virus.
There are two recommended modalities: daily PrEP and on-demand PrEP / Matheus Oliveira/Saúde-DF
How long does it take for PrEP to start working?
The ministry advises that cisgender women, trans or non-binary people designated as female at birth, and anyone using estradiol-based hormone, who use daily oral PrEP, should take the drug for at least seven days to reach optimal levels of protection. Thus, before the initial seven days of introducing PrEP, additional preventive measures should be adopted.
Cisgender men, non-binary people assigned male at birth, and transvestites and transgender women — who are not on estradiol-based hormones — and who use PrEP, either daily or on demand, should take a dose of two tenofovir tablets plus emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) 2 to 24 hours before intercourse to achieve protective drug levels in the body for anal intercourse.
read more:
Who can use PrEP?
Experts recommend its use for people who adopt behaviors that increase the risk of infection, which include failing to use condoms frequently, having sex without a condom with people with HIV who are not on treatment, having STIs frequently and making repeated use. HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.
PrEP is also recommended in contexts of sexual intercourse in exchange for money or valuables and for adherents to “chemsex”, sexual practice under the influence of psychoactive drugs such as methamphetamines, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), MD, cocaine or poppers .
The indication for PrEP must be made by a health professional, the drugs can be withdrawn free of charge by the Unified Health System (SUS). Go to service inquiry page of the Ministry of Health.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) consists of the daily use of a combination of two antiretroviral drugs (tenofovir + emtricitabine), which have a composition similar to those used in the treatment of HIV, which reduces the chances of a person becoming infected by more than 90% when exposed to the virus.
In addition to oral medications, PrEP can also be performed using an injectable medication called cabotegravir, approved this month by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for use in Brazil.
The strategy comprises the so-called combined prevention, which seeks to meet individual needs and contexts in order to prevent new HIV infections, syphilis, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to the concept, the prevention strategy can be more effective when adopted based on the specific characteristics of each person’s moment in life.
Recommendations include the use of male and female condoms, HIV prophylaxis such as PrEP, prevention of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, regular testing, early diagnosis and treatment of infections, in addition to immunization for HPV and hepatitis B, and adherence to harm reduction programs for alcohol and drug users.
What is PrEP?
PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is one of the ways to prevent HIV infection. The measure consists of taking pills before sexual intercourse, which allow the body to be prepared to face possible contact with the virus.
In addition, the person on PrEP performs regular health monitoring, with testing for HIV and other STIs. Regular testing and investigation of signs and symptoms for other STIs allows timely diagnosis and treatment, interrupting the chain of transmission.
According to infectologist and professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), Gustavo Magalhães, the frequency of testing can vary between three months and once a year, depending on the sexual activity of each person.
“The prevention of HIV and other STIs involves a set of actions, it is not just the use of condoms that is also very important. If we test frequently, especially people at high risk, we can detect the infection faster, start treatment and interrupt transmission,” said Gustavo.
read more:
How does PrEP work?
PrEP is a combination of two drugs (tenofovir + emtricitabine) that block the pathways that HIV uses to infect the human body. In this context, there are two indicated modalities: daily PrEP and on-demand PrEP.
Daily PrEP: consists of taking pills daily, continuously, indicated for anyone in a situation of vulnerability to HIV.
PrEP on demand: consists of taking PrEP only when the person has a possible risk exposure to HIV. It should be used with the use of two pills 2 to 24 hours before sexual intercourse, + 1 pill 24 hours after the initial dose of two pills + 1 pill 24 hours after the second dose.
According to the Ministry of Health, on-demand PrEP is indicated for people who habitually have sexual intercourse less than twice a week and are able to plan when sexual intercourse will occur.
Furthermore, scientific evidence supports the safety and efficacy of on-demand PrEP for only certain populations. They are: heterosexual, bisexual, gay, cisgender men and other cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM), non-binary people designated as male at birth, and transvestites and transgender women – who are not using hormones based on estradiol.
The ministry warns that PrEP only has a protective effect if the drug is used as directed by a health professional. Otherwise, there may not be enough concentration of the active substances in the bloodstream, which will not be able to block the virus.
There are two recommended modalities: daily PrEP and on-demand PrEP / Matheus Oliveira/Saúde-DF
How long does it take for PrEP to start working?
The ministry advises that cisgender women, trans or non-binary people designated as female at birth, and anyone using estradiol-based hormone, who use daily oral PrEP, should take the drug for at least seven days to reach optimal levels of protection. Thus, before the initial seven days of introducing PrEP, additional preventive measures should be adopted.
Cisgender men, non-binary people assigned male at birth, and transvestites and transgender women — who are not on estradiol-based hormones — and who use PrEP, either daily or on demand, should take a dose of two tenofovir tablets plus emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) 2 to 24 hours before intercourse to achieve protective drug levels in the body for anal intercourse.
read more:
Who can use PrEP?
Experts recommend its use for people who adopt behaviors that increase the risk of infection, which include failing to use condoms frequently, having sex without a condom with people with HIV who are not on treatment, having STIs frequently and making repeated use. HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.
PrEP is also recommended in contexts of sexual intercourse in exchange for money or valuables and for adherents to “chemsex”, sexual practice under the influence of psychoactive drugs such as methamphetamines, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), MD, cocaine or poppers .
The indication for PrEP must be made by a health professional, the drugs can be withdrawn free of charge by the Unified Health System (SUS). Go to service inquiry page of the Ministry of Health.
