What do I need to do before starting PrEP?

[Sex]

I have had a look on various websites and was wondering if it was just as simple as buying and taking the pills.

Is there anything I need to do before I start taking it?

Edited December 31, 2018 by Sex

[lipigbear]

Nothing. You'll get a blood test to make sure you're neg. if so, they'll start you on a regimen. You take a pill a day for a month you'll have an appt. then another at two months. Then every three months you're on prep. 

[Guest Memphian]

I don't know about the U.K.  but in the U.S. you have to see a healthcare professional for a prescription and be tested to verify you are HIV-.  They will also test you for other STDs and perform other diagnostic testing to look at kidney function, etc.   Most here make you follow up every three months or so for repeat testing, although mine was stretching it out to about six months before I quit taking it.

[MykBruce]

You will need to see a doc to get tested and the prescrition, then I visite my Doc every 3 months for test. I play bare all the time and take load from anon. I've been neg ever since. The prescrition is pass to my assurance and they pay most of it.  It cost just $3 a month. Can't go without it...  I got absutely no side effect.  You can take it every day  or just when you  play around. I chose every day so I'm ready all the time...  Get some info from your inssurance compagny and your doc.

[lipigbear]

Be careful if you take it "just when you play around". It will not work effectively unless you have a buildup in your system. It is not a magic pill, it requires a daily dosage. You need about a week until you are fully protected. If you can plan your fucks that far in advance then I guess take it as needed. But if not just take it every day. 

[Pozlover1]

14 hours ago, Memphian said:

I don't know about the U.K.  but in the U.S. you have to see a healthcare professional for a prescription and be tested to verify you are HIV-.  They will also test you for other STDs and perform other diagnostic testing to look at kidney function, etc.   Most here make you follow up every three months or so for repeat testing, although mine was stretching it out to about six months before I quit taking it.

In the USA there are Federal Guidelines that try to lower costs for insurance companies. For instance I am stable undetectable, so I get the full panel once a year, then only VL and CD4 with no doctor visit at the 6 month between them. 

Of course you can pay out of pocket for anything but only an “HIV Specialist” can prescribe the HIV meds anyway. Not a GP. 

Insurance can decline to pay for anything beyond the Guidelines, and knowing what they will cover is a big part of being an HIV doctor. 

Edited January 1, 2019 by Pozlover1

[Veytoss]

First of all, congratulations for your interest in PrEP to protect yourself

You can find all the informations for UK in this website:

http://i-base.info/guides/prep

Basically, You can take everyday (reccommended, so you can have as much bareback sex as you want, whenever you want) or the "On demand", only when You plan to have unprotected sex.

Remember: Prep protect you only from HIV, I suggest You to read this post with other things to do have as much fun as you want in the less risky way

[Veytoss]

7 hours ago, lipigbear said:

Be careful if you take it "just when you play around". It will not work effectively unless you have a buildup in your system. It is not a magic pill, it requires a daily dosage. You need about a week until you are fully protected. If you can plan your fucks that far in advance then I guess take it as needed. But if not just take it every day. 

Most recent studies show that the on demand is more effective than we tought:

https://www.poz.com/article/new-hiv-infections-new-french-study-ondemand-prep

However the daily use continue to be the safest and reccomended way.