WHAT IS PrEP?
Pre-Expsosure Prophylaxis - worldly referred to as PrEP - is a pill which prevents the acquisition of HIV in 99% of the cases. The drugs in the pill (Tenofovir and Emtricitabine) are the same two drugs which can make part of Antiretroviral regimen (ARV)– the treatment prescribed for HIV - in other words, the combination of two drugs used in ARV have clinically be proven to be effective to prevent the same condition they treat, HIV
WHO IS IT FOR?
PrEP is for HIV negative people at a high risk of acquiring HIV. It is safe to be used by men, women, trans people, and injecting drug users (IDUs). What it boils down to is the risky practices one engages into; nothing to do with sexual orientation.
BRANDED V GENERIC DRUGS
The branded combination of the drugs is known as ‘Truvada’, manufactured by the pharma company, Gillead. Its price is still too high, with many unable to afford purchasing this medication necessary to not only prevent the chronic condition of HIV but to also be in greater control of their sex life. In the market one can however, find the generic of the branded drug – Generics are pills which contain the same active ingredients of the branded drug but use a different compound. For generics to be introduced onto the market they have to have met “rigorous standards established by the FDA with respect to identity, strength, quality, purity, and potency.” In other words, generics are the ‘same’ as branded drugs but sold at a lower price.
Even though there can be some hesitation to buy generics other than thebranded version, this hesitation is ill-founded.
DRUG-DRUG INTERACTION
To date, research has shown that there is NO interaction between PrEP and;
Alcohol
Party drugs
Hormonal contraceptive pill
Feminising hormones
Viagra
GETTING TESTED
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CONTACT PREPING MALTA
Get in touch with PrEPing Malta to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.
This website is solely intended for knowledge sharing. Neither me or my website are affiliated with any of the mentioned Pharmaceutical companies, clinics or any other brands that might be mentioned on this site..