Health & Human services

Prevention Options 

Information on Doxy-PEP

Is doxy-PEP right for me?
Current efficacy data only applies to adult gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), as well as transgender women. Studies among heterosexual cisgender women and adolescents are ongoing. *people who are pregnant should not take doxy-PEP. 

How should I take doxy-PEP?

• Some people are more sensitive to the sun when they take doxycycline, so it's important to wear sunscreen. 
• Please do not share doxycycline with others.
• Avoid dairy products, calcium, antacids, or multivitamins 2 hours before and after taking doxycycline. 

• Get tested for STIs every 3 months even if you do not have any symptoms.

• Doxy-PEP does not protect against Mpox, HIV, or other viral infections.
  • A two dose vaccination series is the best way to protect against mpox.
  • Taking PrEP/PEP can help with HIV prevention. If you are living with HIV, continue to take your medications and see your health provider regularly. 

Information on PrEP

What is PrEP? 
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is used to lower the chances of getting HIV. Two medications, sold under the brand names Truvada® and Descovy® are approved for daily use as PrEP to help prevent a person without HIV from getting the virus from sex or injection drug use. Studies have shown that PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV if it is used as prescribed. PrEP is much less effective when it is not taken consistently. 

Is PrEP for me? 
PrEP is for people without HIV who are at risk for getting the virus from sex or injection drug use. The federal guidelines recommend that PrEP be considered for people who are HIV-negative who:

• Have a sexual partner with HIV (especially if the partner has an unknown or detectable viral load), or
• Have not consistently used a condom, or 
• Have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months 

• have an injection partner with HIV, or 
• share needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs (for example, cookers) 

• report continued risk behavior, or 
• have used multiple courses of PEP. 

Information on PEP

What is PEP? 
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (or PEP) is a medication to prevent HIV after a possible exposure. Medication must be taken within 72 hours after an exposure to HIV. PEP is highly effective for preventing HIV if taken consistently and correctly for 28 days.

When should I use PEP? 
Talk to a provider right away about PEP if you think you've recently been exposed to HIV:

• During sex  
• Through sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs, or  
• You've been sexually assaulted.  

PEP is for Emergency Situations  

• PEP is given after a possible exposure to HIV.
• PEP is not a substitute for regular use of other HIV prevention. 
• PEP is not the right choice for people who may be exposed to HIV frequently. 
• If you are at ongoing risk for HIV, such as through repeated exposures to HIV, talk to your health care provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).