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Canberra Health Services
Health Information Sheet | Canberra Health Services

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What is HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)?

PEP is HIV medicine that must be started within 72 hours after possible exposure to HIV infection. PEP involves taking a 2 or 3 drug combination of HIV medicine for four weeks, depending on the type of exposure. Possible HIV risk exposures are sex without a condom with someone who has or might have HIV, sharing injecting equipment, needle stick injury or other exposure to blood. Taking PEP may help reduce your risk of getting HIV if you have been exposed to the virus.

Who should take PEP?

The decision to start PEP is complicated and it is important to talk to a healthcare provider. They need to ask you about your sexual partners, and when you last had sex without a condom. If you have used any shared injecting equipment, had any needle stick injury or other exposure to blood. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before you start taking PEP.

When and how should I take PEP?

PEP can only be given up to 72 hours after you have been exposed, and it is best to start as soon as possible after exposure. This gives the medicines and your immune system the best chance to work against HIV.

You will receive the full 28-day supply of PEP from Canberra Sexual Health Centre or from Emergency Departments in the ACT. It is important that you complete the full course and do not miss any doses. The tablets should be taken at the same time each day. You may want to set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself to take your PEP medication.

You need an HIV test at the end of the 28-day course of PEP. To do this, book an appointment at Canberra Sexual Health Centre, or your local GP. You will also need a test again 3 months later.

Where can I get PEP?

In business hours:

  • Canberra Sexual Health Centre, Building 8, Level 4 Canberra Hospital
    Phone: (02) 5124 2184

After hours:

  • Canberra Hospital Emergency Department, Yamba Drive, Woden.
  • North Canberra Hospital Emergency Department, Haydon Drive, Bruce.
  • Canberra Afterhours Locum Medical Service (CALMS) 1300 422 567 (Note: there is a fee to use this service).

Are there side effects of PEP?

Most people will have few or no side effects from PEP. Some people may get:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • rash

Side effects are usually worse in the first few days and lessen over time. If you can’t tolerate the side effects from taking PEP, please talk to your health care provider as soon as possible.

What else do I need to know while taking PEP?

  • PEP is not guaranteed to stop you from being infected with HIV.
  • PEP is not birth control and you should avoid getting pregnant while taking PEP.
  • PEP does not treat other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
  • If you miss a tablet, take the dose as soon as you remember. Call Canberra Sexual Health Centre on (02) 5124 2184 for advice about how you should continue to take your tablets.
  • To protect others during the 3-month window period (the time until an HIV test is reliable):
    • Use condoms, and do not share injecting equipment.
    • Do not donate blood, sperm, organs or tissue.

What if I am at ongoing risk of HIV?

  • HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is available for people at ongoing risk of HIV including men who have sex with men (MSM), heterosexual men and women, gender diverse people, and people who inject drugs (PWID)
  • Some people will choose to continue with PrEP after a course of PEP. This is usually the same medication and can be taken daily or for some people, on-demand.
  • To find out more about PrEP, call Canberra Sexual Health Centre or speak to your GP.

Other resources

References

canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au