Topic: Post-exposure Prophylaxis - HIV
Description
What is PEP?
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a treatment that may prevent HIV infection and is available to anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours. It is a combination of anti-HIV drugs that must be taken exactly as prescribed at very specific times over a four week period.
These are powerful drugs that can cause side effects and many people who have taken the drugs reported that they experienced considerable discomfort from abdominal pain, diarrhoea and/or headaches throughout the four weeks. Sticking to the strict medication routine however is essential to give the treatments a chance to work effectively.
Practical Advice
When to use PEP
It is extremely important that a person, who may have been exposed to HIV through contact with blood or body fluids from an HIV positive person, seeks treatment as soon as possible.
PEP may prevent infection for anybody who has engaged in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse (including condom breakage) with a partner who is HIV positive, or shared a needle with a person who is HIV positive. PEP is most effective when taken immediately after exposure to HIV, preferably within two hours - but it may still be effective if taken within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure.
Where to get PEP
PEP must be prescribed by a doctor and is available from the clinics listed below. The standard prescription drug co-payment will be charged by the pharmacy dispensing the drugs.
Anyone wishing to access PEP should telephone one of these services for opening hours, make an appointment if necessary and then advise them that PEP may be required. Don’t feel anxious about discussing PEP with the trained clinical staff members of these services.
Even if the risk seems minimal or if unsure about the need for PEP, discuss the matter with a doctor.
In addition, staff members from HIV services listed below are able to listen, and provide information about PEP.
A follow-up appointment with the doctor who prescribed PEP is essential after completion of the course of drugs or if the course is interrupted or prematurely terminated.
Does PEP work?
It is strongly believed that PEP may prevent HIV infection following an exposure to infected blood or bodily fluid. In the case of occupational exposure in a workplace (eg. needlestick injury in a clinic), PEP has been used for a number of years and has been effective in most cases. Trials have also shown the use of PEP in cases of exposure to HIV from social behaviours to be effective for patients who completed the full course of PEP.
Note well: What PEP is not
- PEP is not pleasant to take.
- PEP is not a guarantee that HIV infection will be prevented, but it is thought to decrease the chances of infection occurring.
- PEP is not a ‘morning after pill’.
- PEP will not make people immune to future HIV exposures. People still need to practise safe sex and in the case of injecting drug users, safer injecting practices to prevent HIV infection. If you are exposed to HIV again in the future you should seek urgent medical advice from an HIV treatments doctor.
PEP is available from:
Specialist HIV Service
Sexual Health Clinic Locations
- Brisbane Sexual Health Clinic
- Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Bundaberg
- Cairns
- Gold Coast
- Ipswich
- Mackay
- Mt Isa
- Palm Island
- Redcliffe/Caboolture
- Rockhampton
- Sunshine Coast
- Thursday Island
- Toowoomba
- Townsville
Hospitals with Infectious Diseases Clinics
- Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital
- Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Mater Hospital
- Cairns Base Hospital
- Gold Coast Hospital
- Nambour Hospital
- Townsville Hospital
Hospital Departments of Emergency Medicine(list of all hospitals in Queensland)
A GP HIV treatments (S100) prescriber
Who can I talk to?
Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC)
Queensland Positive People (QPP)
Last updated: 13th October, 2009
Review Date: 30th June, 2010
