This includes men who have sex with men, transgender women, and gender-diverse communities. PrEP requires a prescription. Currently in Canada, it can be taken daily in pill form. A generic version of Truvada is also available.
Most symptoms tend to go away within weeks. Have sex with men, transgender women, and gender-diverse communities. Tested positive for infectious syphilis or a bacterial STI in the last year. Have used post-exposure prophylaxis PEP more than once. The most common way that people get on PrEP is by filling out some information before getting a blood test. Once the results come back from the lab within a week or two, the doctor will meet with you to review the results and answer any questions you may have.
The fastest way to start is using medsEXPERT with our expert providers who can ask relevant questions to help you decide between our programs. Our most popular program is the rapid PrEP Start where you can walk-in to any of our locations and walk-out with meds! All that is involved is a rapid HIV test before you start taking the medications. After you start taking PrEP, our clinic staff will reach out to set up your first doctor visit with a queer professional within the first month.
There is also the option of taking PrEP on and off, meaning that someone on PrEP does not always have to take it forever. If for any reason, someone changes the way they want to prevent HIV or are taking a break from sex, they can absolutely discontinue or pause their PrEP use. However, that is not the case with front hole sex also known as vaginal sex which can take up to 14 days to be fully protected by the medication before having condom-less sex.
Although we talk a lot about PrEP as pills, there are advances everyday in this field of science including new long acting injectable forms of PrEP! And there are many different kinds of tablets you will see labeled as PrEP and you might even know someone living with HIV taking the same pills as part of their treatment. Why the confusion? The tablets are known my many different brand or trade names including Truvada, Descovy and a few generic versions.
