PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV) is a 4 week course of pills you can take if you have had a significant risk of exposure to HIV. The medication may stop you becoming infected with HIV.

PEP should be started as soon as possible because evidence suggests it is most effective when started within a few hours of exposure to HIV. PEP will not be given if  it is more than 72 hours (3 days) since you think you have been at risk of HIV

The PEP course of pills lasts 4 weeks.  It is important not to miss any tablets and to take the tablets at the specified times.

You may have some side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, tiredness.  Your doctor will discuss with you prior to prescribing PEP.  You will need to have some blood tests during the PEP course to monitor its effects on your body.

Taking PEP reduces the risk of HIV transmission after unprotected sex but does not eliminate it completely.

If someone stayed HIV negative after taking PEP and then had condomless sex, they can become infected with HIV just like any other HIV negative person.

Yes. It is still important to use condoms because:

• Using a condom is more likely to stop HIV being passed on than PEP
• Condoms offer protection against pregnancy and also against STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, whereas PEP does not
• Condoms are easily available from a range of venues near you. To find out where you can get Free Condoms look at the Free Condoms website