💊 Reliable protection: PrEP provides effective protection against HIV when taken correctly.
💬 Available on prescription: The costs are covered by health insurance.
🩺 Rare side effects: Mostly mild, regular checks provide security.
📆 Flexible intake: Daily or occasionally - depending on your sex life.
What is PrEP?
PrEP stands for Pre-exposure prophylaxis - a preventive HIV medication. It blocks the virus before it can spread in the body.
For whom is PrEP useful?
PrEP is ideal for anyone who:
- regularly have sex with changing partners,
- Practising sex without a condom,
- live in a relationship with HIV-positive partners (without detectable viral load = U=U),
- or simply want to take out additional cover.
If you are unsure whether PrEP is right for you, talk to an AIDS service organisation or HIV specialist practice. Counselling is confidential.
PrEP: Application & intake
PrEP can be taken in two ways:
- Occasion-related („on demand“) PrEP only when sex is on the cards: 2 tablets 2 to 24 hours before sex. After the last sex contact you take 1 tablet after 24 hours and 1 more after 48 hours.
Important: A different PrEP intake schedule applies for (neo-)vaginal intercourse. You can find out more in the infographic below.
- Permanent PEP: 2 tablets 2 to 24 hours before sex, then you take always at the same time every day 1 tablet. So you are protected against HIV at all times. After the last time you had sex, take 1 tablet after 24 hours and 1 more after 48 hours.
Important: A different PrEP intake schedule applies for (neo-)vaginal intercourse. You can find out more in the infographic below.
Side effects & experiences
Most people tolerate PrEP very well. Occasionally, mild symptoms may occur in the first few weeks - e.g. headaches, nausea or stomach problems. These usually subside on their own.
Long-term side effects (e.g. on the kidneys or bones) are rare, but are monitored regularly.
Many report that PrEP makes their sex life more relaxed and anxiety-free - a gain in safety and self-determination.
PrEP: costs, prescription & purchase
- Prescription: You can get PrEP from doctors with HIV expertise
- Costs: The statutory health insurance funds cover the costs. Privately insured persons should clarify in advance whether their insurance will pay.
- Purchase: Only with prescription in pharmacies - no self-procurement online!
- Controls: HIV and STI tests as well as blood and urine tests are mandatory every 3 months.
Find PrEP practices near you
Enter your town or postcode. You will then be redirected to the official doctor search.
Note: The entry will not be saved by IWWIT. When you click, you will be redirected to the external website gesund.bund.de.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about PrEP
Here you will find the most important answers about effects, use, costs and side effects - explained clearly, honestly and practically.
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.
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 (see infographic)
If you take the tablets regularly and correctly (see infographic), the risk is very low.important: PrEP only protects against HIV - not against other STIs.
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