How to take PrEP?

Option 1: Taking PrEP: 1 pill every day

The easiest way to take PrEP is to take one pill every day. Pay attention to the following things:

• Take 1 pill each day at the same time
• Choose a convenient time. For example, at breakfast or when brushing your teeth
• Buy a pillbox from a drug store or pharmacy. This way you can easily see when you need to take your pill
• Or use an app such as YourPrEP to keep track of your pill intake. YourPrEP is available on Android and iOS 

Benefits of 1 pill every day

• You don't forget so quickly, because every day is the same
• You can remind yourself via your phone
• You have less chance of side effects, because you only take 1 pill a day

Disadvantages of every day 1 pill

• You also take a pill on days you are not having sex
• It takes 5 to 7 days after you've started before you are properly protected agaist HIV

Benefits of PrEP around sex

• You only take the pills when you have sex. You do not have to think about it every day

• You don't have to buy that many pills

Disadvantages of PrEP around sex

• You have to keep track of when you take the pills. It is easier to forget

• You may experience a little more side effects. This is because you are taking 2 pills in one go before having sex
• You must think about having sex beforehand. This is because you have to take the pills at least 2 hours before having sex

If you are going to have sex again soon

Are you going to have sex again in the next few days? Then keep taking 1 pill every day. Do this at approximately the same time. Keep track of the times in your phone or agenda. 

If you are not going to have sex for a while

Do you think you are not going to have sex in the next few days? Then take 1 pill every day for 2 days after the sex. After that, you do not need to take PrEP. Until you are going to have sex again. Then start again with 2 pills before sex.

Option 2: Taking PrEP when you have sex

Don't want to take PrEP every day? Then you can also take the pills only when you are going to have sex. You would then take PrEP before and after sex:

• You start with 2 pills at the same time. Do this minimum 2 hours, but not longer than 24 hours, before you have sex. Write down which day and time you took these 2 pills
• 24 hours later, take another pill
• And again after 24 hours, take another pill. This will make a total 4 of pills.

If you have sex again, continue to take 1 pill every 24 hours. Always make sure that the 2 days after you last had sex, you keep taking 1 pill a day. If you have a vagina and have had vaginal sex, you have to keep taking 1 pill daily for 7 days.

After these 2 days you can stop taking PrEP. Are you going to have sex again after that? Start again with 2 pills at the same time, and finish the routine. 

Do you have a (neo)vagina? And do you get penetrated in it? Then, before the sex, you have to take 1 pill a day for 7 days. If you want to stop taking PrEP, make sure you keep taking 1 pill per day, for 7 days after the sex. 

This is because PrEP takes longer to reach the vaginal wall. Do you have a vagina, but are you only being penetrated in your ass? Then you can use PrEP like explained in option 1 and option 2. 

How long can you store PrEP?

In the box of the pills is a note with an explanation. It tells you how long you can keep the medicine. Keep PrEP in a cool, dry place out of the sun. For example, in a cupboard or drawer.

If you do not take PrEP every day, ask your pharmacy about the best packaging to buy PrEP in, so that you can keep it longer. For example, a blister pack. It should stay good for more than 30 days after opening. 

PrEP while traveling 

Are you going abroad? 

• Ask your pharmacy for a note stating which PrEP medicines you are taking. This is not mandatory, but it can be useful to prevent misunderstandings at the border control or when you lose your medication
• Take extra PrEP pills with you, more than you need
• Divide these spare pills between your luggage. If you lose a bag, you will still have PrEP
• Some countries are prohibited to enter for people who have HIV. Your PrEP medication can be mistaken for HIV medication at the border