FAQs: PrEP

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a way to take control of your sexual health. It helps people who are HIV negative (not living with HIV) to reduce their worry about getting HIV. PrEP involves taking medication daily that contains a combination of antiretroviral drugs to stop the HIV virus from reproducing in the body.

PrEP is a powerful tool in helping to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, not everyone knows about PrEP or how to obtain it. Through our PrEPared for Life Program, we can help you find options for enrolling in PrEP services in Arkansas.  Contact us using the form below for more information. Visit our PrEPared for Life program to learn more.

PrEP is for anyone – straight, gay or bisexual. PrEP is for male, female, transgender or gender nonconforming individuals. 

PrEP is a way to prevent HIV for those that are at higher risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends PrEP for anyone who is in an ongoing relationship with someone who is HIV-positive. Additionally, CDC also suggest PrEP be considered for anyone who isn’t in a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who recently tested HIV-negative, and

• is a gay or bisexual man who has had anal sex without a condom or have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 6 months.
• is a heterosexual man or woman who does not regularly use condoms with partners with an unknown HIV status who are at substantial risk for HIV (including people who inject drugs).

PrEP is also recommended for people who have injected drugs in the past 6 months and have shared injection equipment or have been in treatment for injection drug use in the past 6 months.

Everyone’s situation is different. If you are unsure whether PrEP might be for you, EAC can help you connect to free PrEP Services and HIV/STI testing. Visit our PrEPared for Life Program or call us at (844) 754-3742 for assistance.

HIV testing is done before starting PrEP because PrEP is only for people who are HIV negative. PrEP involves HIV testing every three months, periodic STI testing, and being seen regularly by a medical provider. Many insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover PrEP. Assistance may also be available if you are uninsured or if your co-pay or deductible is too high. CLICK HERE to request assistance.

Engaging Arkansas Communities can send you a FREE HIV test through the mail or connect you to HIV testing in your area. CLICK HERE for testing options.

There have been no significant side effects found in any PrEP trials to date. Some side effects associated with PrEP include an upset stomach, headache, vomiting, weight gain, and loss of appetite. However, symptoms typically go away after the first month of taking the medication. You should tell your healthcare provider if these or other symptoms become severe or do not go away.

While PrEP can affect kidney function, changes in kidney health are typically modest and are reversible--meaning kidney function is restored when a person stops taking the medication. A healthcare provider will monitor your kidney health regularly while you are taking PrEP.

The good news is most people who’ve taken PrEP reported they’ve had no side effects. However, as with any drug, it is good to know all the risks.  

• About 10% of the people taking PrEP experience mild side effects at the beginning. Examples of side effects include nausea, diarrhea and headaches. These were reported to go away quickly. 
• A small number of people taking PrEP may experience changes in their kidney function and in their bone density. These side effects are not common. 

When on PrEP, you should check in with your doctor or medical team member regularly so they can help you with any issues you may experience.  

Visit our PrEPared for Life program to learn more.

When taken every day, PrEP has been proven to reduce the risk of HIV infection, in people who have a greater chance of becoming HIV-positive, by up to 99%. However, keep in mind that PrEP is much less effective if it is not taken consistently.  

Visit our PrEPared for Life program to learn more.

PrEP is covered by most insurance plans as well as Medicaid. For those that don't have coverage, there are patient assistance programs that can provide financial help to cover the costs of prescriptions.  

Engaging Arkansas Communities can help you navigate the process of locating a PrEP-friendly provider and assistance programs for those who are uninsured or for those with a high co-pay or deductible.  

Visit our PrEPared for Life Program or call us at (844) 754-3742 for assistance.

Most insurance plans cover the cost of PrEP prescriptions, but eligible uninsured clients can utilize pharmaceutical or government assistance programs to get PrEP, often at no cost. If you do not have insurance, you can access PrEP through a variety of supportive programs.  

Visit our PrEPared for Life program to learn more.

Per CDC guidelines, patients on a PrEP medication regimen are required to attend follow-up visits with their medical teams every 3 months for lab work and prescription refills.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PrEP reaches maximum protection from HIV for receptive anal sex at about 7 days of daily use. For all other activities, including insertive anal sex, vaginal sex, and injection drug use, PrEP reaches maximum protection at about 20 days of daily use.

Yes, you should continue using condoms even when you are taking PrEP. 

PrEP does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia. Using PrEP and condoms together gives you protection from both HIV and most STIs. 

You can get condoms for free through EAC's Condom Club using a simple online request form.  CLICK HERE below to get started.

We think it’s great that you’re engaging in preventative healthcare by taking PrEP! If you have missed doses of your PrEP prescription, PEP may be right for you. You should contact your prescribing medical provider as soon as possible to discuss your potential exposure. Please keep in mind that PEP is most effective within 72 hours of an HIV exposure.

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It involves taking antiretroviral medicines as soon as possible, but no more than 72 hours (3 days) after you may have been exposed to HIV, to try to reduce the chance of becoming HIV-positive. Though the window is within 72 hours of exposure, the sooner you are able to take the medication after an exposure the better.

You will be asked to take the medication for 28 days. Though these drugs have proven to be effective in preventing HIV for some, there is no guarantee this will work for everyone.

If you are prescribed PEP, you may need to undergo routine HIV testing at four weeks and three to six months after exposure. You may also be asked additional questions about your exposure, the person you were exposed to (in case they can be reached for HIV testing) and to test for other sexually transmitted infections. Women may be asked to take a pregnancy test. It is also likely, you will discuss how to lower your risk and avoid HIV exposure in the future.

PEP is generally prescribed for people fitting in the following categories:

• A healthcare worker exposed to blood or body fluids of HIV positive patient
• A person who has been sexually assaulted
• A person who has shared needles for drug use, tattooing or hormones with someone either they know to be HIV positive or whose HIV status they do not know
• A person who has engaged in sex without condoms with someone either they know to be HIV positive or whose HIV status they do not know

PEP is for emergency situations when someone may have been exposed to HIV. For someone who is at an ongoing risk for HIV, PrEP is the recommended option

PEP is effective at preventing HIV when started and taken correctly, but it is not 100%. A person needs to start taking PEP as soon as possible after a potential exposure, but not longer than 72 hours. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), research has shown that PEP has little or no effect in preventing HIV infection if it is started later than 72 hours after exposure.

It is also important to take the full course of PEP, as prescribed. PEP is prescribed for 28 days, with medication taken once or twice daily. 

PEP is safe, but some people taking PEP have experienced nausea as a side effect.

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28-day course of medication that is effective in preventing HIV infection when taken within 72 hours after a high-risk exposure. PEP is only available by prescription and can be accessed through the ER or through a visit with your medical provider.  Act quickly. Do not wait.

We think it’s great that you’re engaging in preventative healthcare by taking PrEP! If you have missed doses of your PrEP prescription, PEP may be right for you. You should contact your prescribing medical provider as soon as possible to discuss your potential exposure. Please keep in mind that PEP is most effective within 72 hours of an HIV exposure.