HIV PrEP

What is HIV PrEP?

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a pill taken before sex, meaning it is pre-exposure. Prophylaxis means to prevent infection. So you can use PrEP to greatly reduce the risk of acquiring HIV infection.

If you are 16 and older and live in England, you are eligible to access PrEP if: 

  • You are a man who has anal sex with other men without condoms
  • You are a trans man or trans woman and you have anal sex or front sex without condoms
  • Your regular partner is living with HIV which is not fully controlled on treatment
  • You have sexual partners who are at higher risk of HIV (for example, from a country where the number of people living with HIV is high)
  • You inject drugs and do not have access to clean needles
     

It is important that you book an appointment in plenty of time to ensure that PrEP is effective before you have unprotected sex. Please contact 0333 300 2100  to book an appointment at SHSWL based at Falcon Road.

HIV PEP

What is HIV PEP?

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis, which is medication taken to prevent HIV transmission after having had unprotected sex. It is started as soon as possible after sex, and no more than 72 hours later. 

It is important that you book an appointment as soon as possible as PEP needs to be started within 72 hours of unprotected sex.  Please contact 0333 300 2100 to book an appointment at SHSWL based at Falcon Road.

If you have already started PEP and need further medication, please also call 0333 300 2100  to book an appointment at SHSWL based at Falcon Road.  

Please note that PrEP and PEP are different. PrEP is preventive and PEP is meant to be taken after having unprotected sex to prevent HIV transmission. 

 

DoxyPEP

DoxyPEP (Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a pill taken after sex to help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia and syphilis.

You take 200mg of doxycycline (an antibiotic) within 24 hours of having sex, but no later than 72 hours. This can lower the chances of getting certain STIs.

DoxyPEP only works for bacterial STIs. It won’t protect you from viruses like HIV or hepatitis B.

 

Who can benefit from DoxyPEP?

DoxyPEP is most likely to benefit people at higher risk of syphilis, such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, and transgender women.

 

How well does Doxy-PEP work?

Current evidence suggests that DoxyPEP can prevent:

  • More than three quarters (~70-89%) of chlamydia infections
  • More than three quarters (~73-87%) of syphilis infections
  • Over half (~51-57%) of gonorrhoea infections (It’s a bit less effective for gonorrhoea because some strains of the bacteria have become resistant to doxycycline)

 

How do I take DoxyPEP:

    -Take a 200mg (2x100mg capsules) dose of doxycycline ideally within 24 hours of condomless oral, anal and/or frontal sex and no later than 72 hours after sex.

    -Take doxycycline with food and a full glass of water to prevent stomach upset and remain upright (sitting or standing) for at least 30 minutes after swallowing     the capsules, to avoid irritation of your food pipe.

    -You should not take more than 200mg of doxycycline in each 24- hour period even if you have sex again

Do not take antacids (such as Rennies, Gaviscon), iron, calcium. zinc or fibre supplements within 2 hours of doxycycline as they may stop it working

 

Are there any risks of side effects of DoxyPEP?:

  • Doxycycline is usually safe, but some people might feel mild side effects like nausea, headaches, or stomach upset. You can lower the risk of these by:
    • Taking it with water and food
    • Staying upright (not lying down) for 30 minutes after taking it to avoid acid reflux
  • Doxycycline can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so you should wear sunscreen and avoid sunbeds when using Doxycycline
  • Antimicrobial resistance:
    • This happens when bacteria evolve and no longer respond to antibiotics that usually kill them.
    • Some people worry that using doxycycline regularly might lead to antibiotic resistance or upset the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut. However, many experts believe that this is unlikely to be a significant issue. Doxycycline has been used for long-term treatments for conditions like acne without causing widespread resistance. Ongoing research will help us understand the potential impacts of Doxy-PEP on resistance.

 

Who should not take DoxyPEP?:

  • Please check with your doctor first if:
    • You’re allergic to doxycycline or other antibiotics in the tetracycline family
    • You’re taking certain medications (including but not limited to acne treatments such as Roaccutane, certain antibiotics, blood thinners, or epilepsy meds). 
    • If you are pregnant or think you might be
    • If you are breastfeeding

What other prevention methods can I use?

  • Use condoms every time you have vaginal or anal sex
  • If you have oral sex, use a condom to cover the penis, or a dam (latex or plastic square) to cover the vulva or anus
  • Avoid sharing sex toys, if you do share them wash them or cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them
  • HIV PEP or PREP
  • Vaccination (Hepatitis A, B, HPV and Mpox)