How do I take it?
Take one pill every day, ideally at the same time each day.
To stay protected:

• Refill your prescription before you run out.
• Don't stop taking PrEP without talking with your healthcare provider.
• Missing doses can reduce how well PrEP works.

When does it start working?
Daily PrEP reaches full protection at different times depending on the type of exposure. Current clinical guidance recommends taking daily PrEP for about 20 days before relying on it for maximum protection across all types of sexual exposure. Your provider can discuss what this means for your situation.

What if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.
If you're missing doses regularly, talk with your provider about ways to make taking PrEP easier.

What should I tell my provider before starting PrEP?
Let your provider know if you:

• Have kidney or liver disease
• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• Take prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements

There are no special dietary restrictions while taking PrEP.

Initial Testing Before Starting PrEP and Regular Follow Ups Include:

• HIV testing
• Kidney function testing
• STI screening, if appropriate
• Recommendations for vaccines or other preventive care based on your health history (before starting PrEP)

Possible Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and improve during the first few weeks. Common side effects include:

• Upset stomach
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Rash
• Sore throat
• Swollen glands
• Flu-like illness

These could be signs of an early HIV infection. Do not stop taking PrEP without speaking with your provider.

Some people take PrEP only around the time they have sex. This is called 2-1-1 PrEP or on-demand PrEP. 

The schedule is:

• 2 pills taken 2–24 hours before sex
• 1 pill 24 hours later
• 1 pill another 24 hours later

Research has shown this approach can be effective for gay and bisexual men having anal sex when taken exactly as directed.

It has not been shown to be effective for:

• People whose main HIV risk is vaginal sex
• People who inject drugs
• Transgender people

Daily PrEP remains the standard FDA-approved approach for HIV prevention in the United States. If you're interested in 2-1-1 PrEP, talk with your provider to see if it's appropriate for you.

If taking a daily pill isn't the best fit for you, injectable PrEP may be an option.

Apretude® 

• First injection
• Second injection 1 month later
• Then one injection every 2 months

Protection begins about 7 days after the first injection.

Yeztugo®

• Two injections at your first visit
• Four starter pills (two on the first day and two the next day)
• Then injections every 6 months

Protection begins about 4 hours after taking the second set of starter pills. Until protection begins, continue using condoms, oral PrEP, or follow your provider's recommendations.

Before starting injectable PrEP
Tell your provider if you:

• Have HIV
• Have liver or kidney disease
• Are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
• Have medication allergies
• Take any prescription medications, supplements, or herbal products

Follow-up care
Before each injection, you'll need:

• A negative HIV test within 7 days
• Regular STI screening (typically every 3 months)

Keeping your injection appointments on time is important to maintain protection.

Possible Side Effects
Common side effects include:

• Mild nausea or diarrhea
• Soreness at the injection site
• Redness, swelling, itching, or a small lump where the medication was injected

Most side effects improve over time.

Remember, Injectable PrEP:

• Protects against HIV only
• Does not prevent other STIs
• Does not prevent pregnancy

If you think you've recently been exposed to HIV or develop fever, rash, swollen glands, or other flu-like symptoms, contact Student Health Services right away.