How good is my protection?

[concerned1]

I recently started taking PrEP again after a short break. I've been noting the times of when I've been taking my PrEP each day since I began.

I just wanted to ask, considering the time variations (some of them literally only minutes), how good is my protection?

 

Sat 1st Feb - two tablets taken at 12:13

Sun 2nd Feb - one tablet taken at 12:15

Mon 3rd Feb - one tablet taken at 12:16

Tues 4th Feb - one tablet taken at 12:07

Wed 5th Feb - one tablet taken at 12:16

Thurs 6th Feb - one tablet taken at 12:22

Fri 7th Feb - one tablet taken at 12:48

Sat 8th Feb - one tablet taken at 12:22

Sun 9th Feb - one tablet taken at 13:15

I'm right in thinking it doesn't have to be BANG ON the EXACT SAME TIME every single day, right? That's what the nurses told me at the clinic but for some reason still I am really nervous and don't trust the PrEP even with just minutes or even one hour difference in times. I guess I'm just overly anxious and paranoid, but how good is the protection from HIV considering the above schedule I've managed to stick to so far?

Edited February 9, 2020 by concerned1

[unbidden]

My pharmacist friend said HIV meds last between 48-72 hours and PrEP lasts 7 days at levels that still protect you. but you should still take it daily so if you ever forget there's a buffer.

 

So basically you're fine. Quit stressing yourself out.

Edited February 9, 2020 by unbidden

[drscorpio]

Once you have taken the pill every day for several day, variations of a few minutes (or even hours occasionally) on when you take the dose shouldn’t matter. You will have established a level of the drug in your system that can sustain itself for several days.