What is PEP? Expand Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) are medicines taken after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent infection. PEP must be taken within 72 hours (three days) and ideally should be taken within 24 hours. PEP is not a ‘morning after pill’ for HIV, and it’s not guaranteed to work. It’s meant as an emergency measure to be used as a last resort, such as if a condom fails during sex. Taking PEP will not protect you from other sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancy.
Where can I get PEP? Expand PEP is available on the NHS for free, but is only given in emergency situations to those that are eligible. The best place to get PEP is a sexual health or HIV clinic. If you need PEP over the weekend or outside of office hours the best place to go is an Accident and Emergency department. PEP is not normally available from GPs.
Am I eligible for PEP? Expand If you’re HIV-negative or don’t know your HIV status, and in the last 72 hours you: think you may have been exposed to HIV during sex (for example, if the condom broke) shared injecting equipment were sexually assaulted You may be eligible for PEP. You should contact your local sexual health clinic as soon as possible.
Can I take PEP every time I have unprotected sex? Expand PEP is not the right choice for people who may be exposed to HIV frequently—for example, if you often have sex without a condom with a partner who is HIV-positive. Because PEP is given after a potential exposure to HIV, more drugs and higher doses are needed to block infection. PEP should not be confused with Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which involves taking medicine on an ongoing basis, before possible exposure to HIV.