PrEP - your protection against HIV

PrEP is a medication that protects you from HIV by preventing the virus from taking hold in your body. The active ingredients (usually tenofovir and emtricitabine) specifically block the replication of HIV. For the protection to work, you must take PrEP regularly and as prescribed. PrEP only protects against HIV, not against other STIs - for this you also need condoms

You can get PrEP on prescription from doctors with HIV expertise. A health check (HIV test, kidney values, hepatitis tests if necessary) is carried out before the prescription is issued. After the prescription, you can pick up the medication at any pharmacy.

The statutory health insurance funds cover the costs. This also includes the quarterly check-ups. If you have private insurance, the costs may be covered differently depending on your tariff - clarify this with your insurance company in advance.

Mild gastrointestinal complaints, headaches or nausea may occur in the short term, but these usually disappear after a few days. Long-term side effects are rare, but can affect the kidneys and bones. Regular blood and urine tests are therefore important. Many people do not notice anything at all - the tolerability is very well documented.

You can take PrEP daily or take on demand.
Daily: one tablet every day, always at about the same time.
On Demand: 2 tablets 2-24 hours before sex, then 1 tablet 24 hours and 1 tablet 48 hours afterwards.

If you take the tablets regularly and correctly, the risk is extremely low. Only if there are gaps in your intake lasting several days or if you take counterfeit preparations can the protection weaken. Important: PrEP only protects against HIV - not against other STIs.

If you take it daily, take the tablet as soon as you realise. If you take them on demand, precise planning is crucial to ensure that protection is built up in good time. If you are unsure whether you are still protected, seek medical advice.

No. PrEP is only effective against HIV. Condoms, safer sex practices and regular tests help against other STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhoea or chlamydia.

– PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis): You take them as a preventative measure before a risk arises.
– PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis): You take it as an emergency measure within 72 hours of possible HIV contact (the sooner the better).
Both drugs have the same active ingredient, but different applications and time frames.

No, please don't. Only medicines from pharmacies with a doctor's prescription are safe. Online offers harbour risks - from counterfeits and incorrect dosages to a lack of medical supervision.

HIV tests, blood and urine tests and STI screenings are carried out every 3 months. This allows you to recognise side effects at an early stage and stay on the safe side medically.

As long as you have an increased risk or feel safer with it. Some people take PrEP for years without any problems. The only important thing is to keep up with your check-ups.