Yes, studies have shown that PrEP is effective in preventing HIV infection, making infection by the virus unlikely when there is good adherence to the regimen.

No, studies have shown that several days are needed for the medicines to reach the concentrations required to provide protection against HIV.

Therefore, in the conventional regimen, PrEP should be started 7 days before the first risk exposure and stopped 7 days after the last exposure. Condom use and/or other prevention methods are essential during those periods.

Yes, PrEP is safe. However, to ensure this safety, the person must adhere to regular assessment in consultations and complete the requested tests.

When taken correctly, PrEP is generally well tolerated. Some side effects have been identified, such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, headaches, and dizziness. These are usually temporary.

Less commonly, its use may also cause kidney and/or bone toxicity, so continuous monitoring is necessary during treatment.

All these side effects are carefully monitored through the medical follow-up provided.

The protection provided by PrEP is exclusively against HIV and depends on adherence. It does not extend to other STIs, which can be prevented through the use of internal or external condoms, commonly referred to as female or male condoms.

However, any HIV prevention strategy is part of a combined and integrated approach to preventing other STIs.

The medical follow-up provided includes screening for early detection and treatment of STIs, namely syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and hepatitis.

STI prevention involves a combined approach that includes condom use, assessment of substance use, early detection and treatment of STIs, and keeping vaccinations up to date.

Some STIs can be prevented through vaccination, such as hepatitis A and B, mpox, or HPV.

During medical follow-up, recommendations will be provided on vaccines suggested to give greater protection against STIs.

The decision to start PrEP depends essentially on the individual risk of acquiring HIV infection.

PrEP is intended for sexually active adults with an increased risk of HIV infection, namely those who:

1. Frequently have sex without condoms and:
   1. Do not know whether their partners have HIV;
   2. Their partners have HIV but are not on effective or regular treatment;
   3. Recently had a sexually transmitted infection;
   4. Have already needed emergency medication against HIV (PEP) and continue to be at risk;
   5. Use psychoactive substances during sex.
2. Want to become pregnant or are pregnant and have a partner with poorly controlled HIV;
3. Have sex in exchange for money, goods, or drugs without always using condoms;
4. Use injectable drugs and do not always use sterile equipment;

No. The risk of acquiring HIV is determined jointly by the frequency of sexual practices, the type of practices, and the probability that the sexual partner has HIV.

According to the estimated probability of acquiring HIV infection per sexual act, the highest risk occurs in receptive anal sex, followed by insertive anal sex, receptive penile-vaginal sex, and insertive penile-vaginal sex, while risk is low in receptive or insertive oral sex.

The risk of acquiring HIV is higher in cases of coinfection with other STIs and particularly in the presence of acute infection in one of the partners.

Yes, namely:

1. Positive or unknown HIV serology;
2. Signs or symptoms of acute HIV infection;
3. Changes in kidney function;
4. Adverse reaction to any component of the medication.

At the first medical consultation, the clinical situation is assessed and the necessary diagnostic tests are prescribed to exclude the contraindications mentioned and start PrEP with monitoring and safety.

PrEP can be taken daily, at a dose of 1 tablet/day, or, in certain cases, intermittently (on demand), with 2 tablets at least 2 hours before exposure, 1 tablet at 24 hours, and another at 48 hours after exposure, for a total of 4 tablets.

Occasionally missing one dose in the daily regimen does not compromise prophylaxis effectiveness. However, depending on the number of missed doses per week, the requirements to maintain PrEP effectiveness may no longer be met.

At the initial consultation, our medical team will explain all the procedures to follow in those cases.

To avoid missed doses, it is a good idea to pair taking PrEP with a daily routine such as breakfast or brushing your teeth, and to keep spare tablets in places such as work, a regular partner's home, a briefcase, or a backpack.

Before travelling with PrEP, you should check whether destination and transit countries allow antiretroviral medication, as restrictions exist in some places (for example Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Qatar). It is advisable to carry the medication in hand luggage with the corresponding prescription or medical declaration.

If needed, we have a Travel Consultation available for PrEP users to help you.

Yes, certain factors require stopping PrEP, namely:

1. A diagnosis of HIV infection;
2. Medication intolerance or the onset of kidney or bone problems;
3. When the patient stops taking PrEP correctly or does not attend consultations and tests;
4. If the person decides to stop;
5. When there are no longer risk behaviours and no risk is expected in the next 3 months;
6. During pregnancy, if the risks of PrEP outweigh the benefits.

Yes, PrEP can be restarted when there is a clinical indication again.