PrEP stands for “pre-exposure prophylaxis”. PrEP is taken before sex; “pre-exposure”. “Prophylaxis” means to prevent infection, in this case HIV. So, PrEP is used by HIV negative people to prevent them from becoming HIV positive.
Research has been done into different types of PrEP, but the only type used at the moment is tablets. In men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen the only tablet that should be used as PrEP is a combination pill containing both tenofovir and emtricitabine. The brand name for this is “Truvada”, but there are other generic versions available which we use in NHS clinics.
Tenofovir/emtricitabine is one of the most widely used medicines to treat HIV.
You can download an information leaflet here
Where to get PrEP?
Get in touch with us if you want to speak to someone about PrEP, you can find out more about PrEP at any of our clinics. We will give you information and arrange a follow-up appointment if required.
You can also access PrEP at other NHS clinics in Scotland.
Or you can book a telephone appointment online to discuss PrEP through our Online Booking service.
Check out HIV PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) | NHS inform for more info.
Will I be eligible?
From 10th July 2017, PrEP was made available to people at the highest risk of HIV infection in Scotland. If you are a Scottish resident and you meet the eligibility criteria for PrEP, you can be provided with the tablets and the monitoring and advice you need at our clinics.
For more information on PrEP in Scotland see:
http://i-base.info/prep-in-scotland-guide/
You can also find out about Buying PrEP Online if you are not eligible for NHS PrEP. http://i-base.info/uk-guide-to-prep/
Who would benefit from taking PrEP?
If you are HIV negative and don’t always use condoms then PrEP could reduce your risk of HIV. The national criteria for NHS PrEP in Scotland are:
Individuals at greatest risk of acquiring HIV are eligible for NHS Scotland funded HIV prevention interventions including PrEP if ALL the following apply:
Universal criteria:
- Aged 16 or over.
- Tested HIV negative.
- Able to attend the clinic for regular 3 monthly review including for monitoring, sexual health care and support, and to collect prescriptions.
- Willing to stop NHS-funded PrEP if the eligibility criteria no longer apply.
- Resident in Scotland
- Plus one or more of the following:
- Current sexual partners, irrespective of gender, of people who are HIV positive and with a detectable viral load
- MSM & transgender women with a documented bacterial rectal STI in the last 12 month
- MSM & transgender women reporting condomless penetrative anal sex with two or more partners in the last 12 months and likely to do so again in the next 3 months
- Individuals, irrespective of gender, at an equivalent high risk of HIV acquisition, as agreed with another specialist clinician.
- (*The term MSM used here includes transgender men who have male sexual partners)
Is there anyone should not take PrEP ?
PrEP should not be used:
- By people who are HIV positive.
PrEP is usually not necessary if:
- The negative person is only having sex with HIV positive partners who are on treatment with an undetectable viral load.
I’m not eligible for NHS PrEP, but I would like to take it for extra security – How can I get hold of PrEP?
Buying PrEP Online
Some people buy PrEP online at a cost of just under £50 for each month’s supply. If you get, or intend to get your PrEP online you can have your monitoring done at our clinics. We can also give you advice on PrEP and whether it is an option for you.
UK community websites have lots of information about PrEP and how to buy it online:
We cannot state that there is absolutely no risk if you choose to buy PrEP online because the PrEP is not sourced directly from the manufacturers. However, we can advise you how to do so as safely as possible.
