Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a medication taken to prevent HIV infection. It has been available through the NHS in Scotland since 2017 and is very safe and effective at preventing HIV.
On this page you will find information on:
Non-urgent advice: If you think you have been exposed to HIV
If this is the case please call us as soon as possible on 0141 211 8130. You may need PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) to prevent infection. Acting quickly is crucial as it gives the medication a better chance of working.
Find out more
Who this service is for
PrEP services are for those living in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Argyll and Bute who are at high risk of HIV infection.
The includes:
- black African women and men
- gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men
- people who inject drugs
- one partner is HIV positive, the other is negative
- people who exchange sex for payment
- trans and non-binary people
How PrEP works
HIV PrEP tablets contains 2 medications called Tenofovir and Emtricitabine in a single tablet and is highly effective at reducing the risk of HIV when taken before and after sex.
Find out more on NHS inform
Important things to note
When PrEP isn’t needed
If your only sexual partner is living with HIV and has been taking HIV treatment for at least 6 months and has an undetectable HIV viral load, you’re not at risk of HIV transmission through sex and do not need PrEP.
PrEP is not HIV treatment
HIV PrEP is not a treatment for those who are already HIV positive. Visit brownleehiv.scot for information on HIV treatment and support.
You still need to use condoms
HIV PrEP is only effective at preventing HIV. It does not protect against any other STI. Condoms remain the safest way to protect yourself against other STIs.
How to book
Please follow the guidance below to book a New PrEP, Returning PrEP, or 3 monthly – STI tests (STI No Symptoms) appointment. Booking the wrong appointment could cause a delay in your care.
All PrEP appointments must be booked online via the national sexual health online booking portal. The portal allows you to make, change, and cancel appointments at a time that suits you.
Please note: If there are no appointments available online then unfortunately our appointments are fully booked at that time. The online portal and our phone lines use the same system, so we can’t offer additional appointments over the phone. We recommend regularly checking for appointments which will be online as they become available.
The portal is currently being improved. More information on the portal can be found here.
New appointments
If you have never been on PrEP before, or you have been on PrEP in the past but it has been more than 12 months since your last clinic review, please book a ‘new appointment’.
Return appointments
If you are already receiving PrEP from our service then we would like to see you in clinic every 6 months for review and to give you more medication. Please book a ‘return appointment’
3 monthly – STI tests
(STI No Symptoms)
We recommend that everyone taking PrEP gets HIV and STI testing every 3 months. Therefore, every 3 months between your PrEP appointments please book an ‘STI test – no symptoms’ appointment.
If you can’t book online you can call us on tel:+441412118130 (Monday to Friday, 8:45 – noon, 1pm – 4pm).
What to expect
Coming to clinic
Location
PrEP appointments are available at Central, Govanhill, Parkhead, Paisley and Woodside. For more location details and directions, visit our locations page.
Arriving
Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time to check in. When you arrive, go to the reception desk. Some locations will have self check-in in operation.
Waiting area and facilities
You’ll wait in the main waiting area in front of reception. Bathrooms are available nearby, just ask a member of staff.
Who you’ll meet
We have lots of different staff members, from reception staff to doctors , nurses and health care support workers, all are trained and experienced in PREP provision and are here to make you feel supported and comfortable.
Attending with children policy
If possible, please avoid bringing children to your appointment unless someone can stay with them in the waiting area. Consultations may involve sensitive questions about your sexual history and could include procedures in a medical setting that are not safe for unsupervised children. If we’re unable to carry out your appointment safely, we won’t be able to proceed. Thank you for your understanding.
During your appointment
At your first appointment, we will discus your medical and sexual health to ensure PREP is safe and suitable for you.
Firstly we will take a comprehensive sexual health screen which may involve collecting throat, rectal, urine or vaginal samples, as well as blood samples. These will be used to check for sexually transmitted infections and evaluate your kidney function.
We will then discuss any recommended vaccines and arrange a suitable time to implement them.
If PrEP is suitable and safe for you to use, we will issue you with your first supply and explain the different ways to take PrEP and discuss any side effects you may experience.
Waiting area and facilities
A staff member will collect you from the waiting room for your appointment. Each of our rooms ensures privacy to create a safe space for conversation and to maintain your confidentiality.
Trainee members of staff
As a training centre, we frequently have trainees at our services and may ask you if a trainee can sit in on your appointment. You will always be given the chance to say no to this request.
After your appointment
You will be given a card to access all your sexual health screening results.
We can text you a copy of our PrEP information leaflet to allow you the chance to read over some of the information we have provided in clinic.
We can send text reminders when your next appointments are due with a link to our booking service.
If you are happy for your GP to know you are on PrEP, we can write to them with information on your PrEP start date.
For more information on PrEP
Please refer to the following reputable sources of information: