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Protecting Your Health: Understanding PrEP and Its Benefits

If you’re at high risk of getting HIV, taking preexposure prophylaxis therapy (PrEP) can be a lifesaver. This preventive treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of contracting HIV from sex by up to 99% and from sharing drug injection equipment by at least 74%. But what happens when you want to pause or stop taking PrEP? Let’s dive into the facts.

How Long Do I Need to Take PrEP?

PrEP only works as long as you take it. When you stop taking PrEP, the protection it provides against HIV quickly fades. You need to keep taking it for as long as you want that protection. If you’ve tested negative for HIV, you may benefit from taking PrEP if you’re at high risk of contracting the virus.

Is It Okay to Stop Using PrEP?

In most cases, stopping PrEP won’t cause immediate side effects, but it may raise your risk of HIV, especially if you have risk factors that increase your chances of exposure. However, stopping PrEP may also relieve side effects, which are usually mild and often go away on their own over time.

The Risks of Stopping PrEP

First and foremost, stopping PrEP means you no longer get the protective benefits against HIV. If you have active hepatitis B, stopping PrEP may also reactivate the infection. It’s essential to talk with your doctor before you stop taking PrEP.

Can I Take PrEP Only When I Need It?

Scientists have started studying an “on-demand” approach to oral PrEP, known as the 2-1-1 schedule. This involves taking three doses of PrEP: two pills 2-24 hours before sex, one pill 24 hours after the first dose, and one pill 24 hours after the second dose. While this approach has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV in men who have sex with men, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness for people of any gender, sex, or sexual orientation and for those who inject drugs.

What Happens When I Stop Taking PrEP?

When you stop taking PrEP, the amount of medication in your blood drops until there’s none left. The protection it provides against HIV wears off, making it easier for HIV to multiply in your body if you’re exposed to the virus.

Does Stopping PrEP Have Side Effects?

For most people, there are no known side effects or withdrawal symptoms from stopping PrEP. However, if you have chronic hepatitis B, stopping PrEP may cause the hepatitis virus to become more active in your body.

Can I Restart PrEP?

Yes! Unless you’ve developed serious side effects from PrEP, you can start taking it again after pausing or stopping. It’s essential to talk with your doctor before you restart PrEP, as they will order an HIV test to ensure you’re still HIV-negative.

Missing Doses of PrEP

If you’re taking oral PrEP, it’s essential to take it every day for optimal protection against HIV. If you miss a single dose, you probably have enough medication built up in your bloodstream to protect against HIV. However, if you regularly miss doses, the protection PrEP provides will be reduced. Your doctor may recommend strategies to help you remember your doses or consider injectable PrEP, which only requires an injection once every 2 months.