PrEP – Starter Kit

What are the requirements and considerations before starting / reinitiating PrEP?

• A doctor’s prescription or HIV self-test is required before initiating/reinitiating PrEP.
• Global guidelines recommend PrEP users take an HIV, liver and renal test every 6 months.

Daily PrEP
Daily PrEP (one-pill each day) needs 7 days of consecutive use before it becomes effective for HIV prevention for receptive anal sex. It works best if you have an active sex life or prefer not having to plan pill intake around specific sexual encounters. This method requires establishing a daily routine, but it provides continuous and consistent daily use of PrEP

On-Demand PrEP
On-demand PrEP, also called the “2-1-1 method,” is taken only before and after sex. It works well if your sexual risk is occasional and you can plan ahead. This method gives you flexibility without the need for daily pills, but timing is important to stay protected. Below is an illustration on how to

What is Doxy-PEP?

Doxy-PEP Doxy-PEP involves taking two 100 mg pills (200 mg total) as a single dose after condomless sex to prevent bacterial STIs, preferably within 24 hours (and no later than 72 hours). It works best if you have occasional sexual encounters where condoms aren’t used, significantly reducing your risk of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. While it requires prompt action after sex, it gives you a reliable safety net without taking pills daily.

Does taking PrEP interfere with Doxycycline (Doxy-PEP)?

PrEP does not interfere with doxycycline (Doxy-PEP). You can safely take PrEP (either daily or on-demand) together with doxycycline used as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for bacterial STIs like syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea. The two medicines work in different ways and do not reduce each other’s effectiveness.