PrEP is a drug taken by HIV-negative people before and after sex that reduces the risk of getting HIV.

How PrEP works
Taking PrEP before being exposed to HIV means there’s enough drug inside you to block HIV if it gets into your body.
The medication used for PrEP is a tablet which contains tenofovir and emtricitabine (drugs commonly used to treat HIV). It is sometimes called Truvada but most of the PrEP we use is generic PrEP.
In the US a second pill has been approved for use as PrEP – the branded drug Descovy or its generic equivalent.
Different PrEP delivery methods such as injectables and implants are being researched. As well as PrEP tablets, PrEP vaginal rings will be available soon.

Where to get PrEP
PrEP is not available in NHS Greece, yet an ongoing advocacy issue within the community

Taking PrEP
In clinical trials PrEP has been used in two different ways:
taken regularly (one tablet per day).
only taken when needed (two tablets two to 24 hours before sex, one tablet 24 hours after sex and a further tablet 48 hours after sex).
This second method is often called ‘on-demand’ or ‘event based’ dosing.
Both methods have been shown to be very effective, although on-demand dosing has only been studied in gay and bisexual men.
Daily dosing is recommended for women who need to take PrEP every day for seven days to be protected against HIV.
Daily PrEP is recommended for all trans people using hormone treatment as there isn’t sufficient data to support other dosing options.

Taking PrEP safely
If you’re thinking about getting PrEP, it’s important that you talk to an adviser from Checkpoint, Prevention and Testing centers for HIV and Hepatitis https://mycheckpoint.gr/?lang=en. They will support you to use the treatment safely and provide necessary tests.
In most big PrEP studies, no one became infected while on PrEP, as recommended. If you don’t take it properly though, it may not work. That is why you should always seek a GP for safer guidance.
The drugs used in PrEP are the same drugs that are prescribed to thousands of people living with HIV every year. They’re very safe and serious side effects are very rare.
A few people experience nausea, headaches or tiredness/fatigue and, very rarely, the medication can affect kidney function. As a precaution, people taking PrEP have regular kidney function tests.
Although PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV, it won’t protect you from other STIs or an unplanned pregnancy, for which condoms would.
It’s important if you’re using PrEP that you go for regular STI screenings every three months.