What’s PrEP?

PrEP is a once-daily pill that greatly reduces your risk of HIV infection. There are different drug combinations for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will help you choose the right one for you.

PrEP can prevent HIV infection by stopping the virus from infecting your body if you are exposed.

PrEP does not protect against other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Therefore, Campbell Health Solutions strongly recommends that you use condoms, while on PrEP.

Who should consider taking PrEP?

PrEP is for anyone who is HIV negative and wants to stay that way. You may particularly benefit from PrEP if you:

• Have sexual or needle-sharing partners who are HIV positive with a detectable or unknown viral load.
• Were diagnosed with an STI in the past three months.
• Don’t use condoms all the time.
• Are interested in adding an additional HIV prevention tool to your toolbox.

Are there side effects?

Most people who take PrEP do not report any side effects. For those who do, the most common side effects are nausea, upset stomach, headaches, and fatigue. These symptoms often go away after a few weeks of taking PrEP.

If these side effects bother you, speak to your healthcare provider. Your provider can talk to you about ways to treat the side effects, you may be experiencing. Your provider will monitor your lab results for other PrEP-related side effects.

Can I take PrEP if I use hormonal birth control or if I am pregnant?

PrEP does not interfere with hormonal birth control, including emergency contraception. PrEP may be an option if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant. Ask your provider for more information.

Can I take PrEP if I’m on hormones?

PrEP does not interfere with hormone therapy and is an effective prevention option for transgender and gender nonconforming people.

What can I expect during my first visit?

Expect your first appointment to last an hour to an hour and a half. Be prepared to have your blood drawn and provide samples for STI screening.

• Do not urinate one hour prior to the appointment.
• If needed, vaccines may be administered or recommended.

During your visit, your healthcare provider will talk to you about your medical, behavioral, and sexual health history. You will be asked about medications you take and any possible symptoms of acute HIV infection.

• Have a list of your current medications or bring them with you.

You will receive information at your appointment about PrEP and other safer sex options.

If you are uninsured or cannot afford PrEP, you will be provided with navigational services to discuss financial assistance options available to you.

PrEP Pro Tips:

• PrEP works best if you take it at the same time every day. If you forget to take your pill, take it as soon as you remember.
• If you realize you forgot to take a pill and it is almost time for your next pill, just take one pill and resume your normal schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
• If you keep missing scheduled doses, ask your provider about ways to stay on track.
• To help you remember, carry a pill in a pill box or a sealed container. This way, if you miss a dose, you will have a pill on hand.
• Visit your healthcare provider every three months for medication refills and checkups. A checkup will include HIV screening and other tests as needed.
• Your provider will talk to you about:
  • Side effects and what to do if they are bothering you.
  • How often you are taking your PrEP.
  • Your sex life, sexual health, and other ways to keep yourself healthy.
• Your provider will also screen you for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as needed.
• Tell your provider right away if you experience fevers, fatigue, swollen glands, or a rash – these may be early signs of an HIV infection.

How can I pay for PrEP?

PrEP medications and the necessary follow-up appointments are covered by most insurances. If you do not have insurance or have trouble paying for PrEP, there are financial assistance options available to help pay for the medication and lab costs.

A monthly medication prescription is necessary for PrEP. If you are uninsured or cannot afford your medication costs, contact 561-208-6595 to discuss financial assistance options available to you.

Regular labs are required when taking PrEP. Florida Health in Palm Beach County processes the labs at all Campbell Health Solutions sites. If you have health insurance, it should take care of your labs. However, if you receive a bill or have trouble paying for your PrEP labs or are concerned about the cost, contact 561-208-6595 to discuss financial assistance options available to you.

If you have questions or want more information, contact us at 561-208-6595

What is PEP?

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication regimen that you can take if you believe you have just been exposed to HIV. If you take PEP as directed, it can prevent HIV from infecting your body. PEP must be taken within 72 hours of exposure but should be taken as soon as possible to maximize the chance it will work.

What should I do if I think I have been exposed to HIV?

PEP is most effective when taken immediately following an exposure to HIV. If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, you should seek PEP as immediately as possible.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you should seek PEP immediately: 

• Have you just experienced sexual assault?

• Did you just have unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who you know is HIV-positive or whose status you do not know? (Unprotected means that a condom was not used, or that the condom broke or slipped off during sex).

• Did you share needles (for drugs, hormones, or tattoos) or other drug injection equipment (works) with someone you either know is HIV-positive or whose HIV status you don’t know?

If you think that you were exposed to HIV at work, tell your supervisor immediately. (For example, if you were stuck by a needle in a healthcare setting.

Where can I get PEP?

Any healthcare provider can prescribe PEP at their discretion. However, it’s recommended that you see a provider with whom you feel comfortable discussing topics like sex, sexuality, drug use, needle sharing, and HIV. In Palm Beach County, Campbell Health Solutions will help you see a provider same day for PEP. If Campbell Health is closed and PEP is an immediate emergency need, you should visit the nearest emergency room. Remember that a hospital emergency room should always be a last resort.

What can I expect when I ask for PEP?

A healthcare provider will want to discuss your exposure to HIV, including the date, time, and nature of the exposure. This is to evaluate whether PEP will be safe, effective, and necessary in your situation. You will be asked to test for HIV. A health care provider must verify that you are currently HIV-negative before prescribing PEP. If your test is positive (indicating an infection pre-dating your exposure), the provider will discuss making a treatment plan with you.

If you refuse HIV testing, you may be unable to receive PEP. You may be asked to contact the person who exposed you, if able. This person may be asked about their HIV status and how they are currently being treated for HIV. This information may affect the health care provider’s plan for your care. You may be offered additional testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and/or Hepatitis C. You may be offered vaccines against other diseases, such as Hepatitis A and B. If you can become pregnant, you may be offered a pregnancy test. Your provider may discuss emergency contraception. Your provider will want to plan with you to reduce the risk of being exposed to HIV in the future.

Your provider may want to discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily medication like PEP that can reduce the chance of acquiring HIV if taken consistently and correctly. Unlike PEP, PrEP is taken before an exposure ever occurs, to introduce medications into your body that can prevent HIV from establishing an infection. Once finished with PEP, many patients choose to take PrEP to continue reducing their risk of acquiring HIV.

Once you have started PEP, your provider may wish to schedule a 1-month follow-up appointment to verify that PEP has successfully prevented HIV from infecting your body.

How will I take PEP?

If the health care provider decides to prescribe PEP to you, the medication will be explained in detail at the time of your visit. You will be asked to fill the prescription and take the medication as directed. If PEP is obtained through an emergency room, you may be given the first dose along with a few days’ supply in order to give you time to fill the prescription for the rest.

Once you begin taking PEP, it is important to continue taking the medication as directed. Stopping or skipping doses may be dangerous. PEP is prescribed for 28 days, meaning you must take the medication each day for 28 days. Do not skip doses. PEP may not work correctly if taken in combination with certain medications. Before starting PEP, be certain to discuss any medications you’re taking with your health care provider and the pharmacist filling you prescription. Be sure to discuss any over-the-counter drugs, herbal medicines, and vitamins you’re taking.

You should only stop taking PEP if your healthcare provider instructs you to do so. You must complete the full course of medication to have the best chance of stopping HIV infection.

Does PEP have side effects?

Side effects vary with the medications your provider chooses to prescribe as PEP. Many medications can be used for PEP, and your provider will choose the best ones. Common side effects for the medications used are typically mild, and may include upset stomach, headaches, diarrhea, and tiredness. Tell your provider right away if you experience side effects that make it difficult to take the medication. Do not stop taking PEP before talking to your provider; there may be ways to make you feel better or alleviate side effects. Most clients have no or very few side effects with PEP. Most of those who do experience side effects decide to continue taking PEP because they want to do everything possible to avoid getting HIV. Many clients recognize that one month of PEP is easier than a lifetime of taking HIV medications.

Does Campbell Health Solutions offer PEP?

Yes! Campbell Health Solutions offers PEP to patients on a walk-in basis. If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, you can come to Campbell Health Solutions during our regular hours of operation to receive treatment. Clients without insurance may qualify for low-cost services, and staff will be available to help you figure out how to pay for the medication.

For additional information, call 561-208-6595 or walk in during our hours of operation.

If you are unable to come during regular hours of operation, seek PEP through the nearest emergency room.

How much does PEP cost? How can I pay for it?

PEP is covered by Medicaid and most private insurance plans. Co-pay assistance is available, and many clients with insurance pay nothing out of pocket. If you need help or do not have insurance, ask about the patient assistance program which may pay for the full cost of the medication.

If you are seeking PEP following an experience of sexual assault, you may visit any emergency room to receive care and treatment including PEP, emergency contraception, and STI testing.

The Palm Beach County Victim Services Hotline can be reached at 561-833-7273.

Can I take PEP if I’m pregnant?

Yes. If you are pregnant, you can still take PEP. Your provider will want to discuss the benefits and risks to you and your baby. If you are nursing, you should stop breast feeding for three months following the exposure. HIV can be transmitted through breast milk, so your HIV status should be verified before you resume breast feeding. Ask your provider about pumping and discarding breast milk if you wish to go back to breastfeeding after the three-month period.

What happens after I finish taking PEP?

Your provider will want to verify that PEP has successfully prevented an HIV infection. This means your provider may ask you to be tested one month and three months after completing PEP.

You may be offered additional services, such as HIV/STI prevention education, recovery services, needle exchange services, or counseling. If you need these services but they have not been offered, ask your provider for a referral.

If the exposure to HIV is ongoing (for example, an HIV positive regular partner) your provider may want to discuss PrEP with you in detail. PrEP is a daily pill that has been shown to protect people who are at ongoing risk for getting HIV. If you believe PrEP would be a good choice for you, ask your provider for more information.