Frequently Asked Questions

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP is a medication that is taken to prevent a user being infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

PrEP is designed for people who are at high risk of exposure and therefore high risk of infection with HIV. PrEP is for all who are high risk, and if you feel you are at risk of HIV you must not be dissuaded.

In Australia, by far the dominant group using PrEP is Men who have sex with Men, and this group is the greatest target for treatment. But sex workers, their customers, those who engage in group sex, those with HIV positive partners, injectable drug users, travellers to unsafe destinations.

PrEP is taken as one pill, once a day every day – it’s that simple. Taking PrEP daily means you are always protected from HIV no matter how much sex you’re having or when you’re having it. Daily PrEP leaves nothing to chance.

In regard to HIV, no you don’t still need to use condoms. PrEP means you are protected from HIV infection. You are still at risk of other STI’s and regular condom use is still recommended to protect from other STI’s in those having multiple partners, just like the rest of the community.

Absolutely yes! PrEP is extremely successful at preventing HIV infection. Unfortunately, no medication is perfect and there have been very few cases of HIV infection whilst someone is on PrEP. This is, however, exceedingly rare.

PrEP works so well that it is recommended all at-risk people should be on treatment.

Yes. PrEP prevents HIV infection but does not prevent any other STI’s. Indeed, with PrEP use increasing there has been a corresponding increase in the incidence of other STI’s.

Therefore, it is important that condoms continue to be used to prevent other STI’s being spread, people on PrEP continue to undergo regular full STI screening, or both. Full testing, however, is not a requirement for ongoing PrEP treatment, just a negative HIV test.

To be placed on PrEP you need a prescription from a doctor, usually a GP. The doctor must confirm you are HIV negative prior to commencing PrEP. Once this is confirmed, a script can be provided for three months of treatment, the medication purchased, and treatment started.

Then, for ongoing treatment, you must have a negative HIV test every three months before the next script is provided. This is a legislative requirement, and important as it makes sure that you remain HIV negative and that the PrEP is working.

At PrEP Health we have streamlined this process to be as easy and convenient as possible.

Customers enter their details and receive a pathology request for HIV and other STI screening. Once a negative HIV result is received, the PrEP is dispatched from our pharmacy partner and delivered to your residential address.

For ongoing prescriptions, a pathology screening is required every three months. The results are then reviewed, and ongoing prescriptions issued, and the medication delivered.

That’s it! It’s that easy and can go on and on for as long as you require.

PrEP is generally very well tolerated with most consumers suffering no side effects. However, in the short term some users do suffers nausea, headaches, and diarrhoea, which usually pass relatively quickly.

Longer term, it is possible some people have changes in liver function, kidney function, and loss of bone density.

Cis-gendered men who have sex with men can start with a single loading dose of two PrEP tablets between 2 and 24 hours prior to sex to ensure almost immediate protection from PrEP Daily.  But as the effectiveness of this is yet to be determined in all other populations at risk of HIV infection, everyone else must take 7 days of daily dosing before they are considered protected. 

Right now. Just click HERE to start the process.

To be prescribed PrEP you need to have be tested for HIV and kidney function.

If you test positive for an STI you will have a phone consult with a PrEP Health doctor that will guide you through your diagnoses and treatment if applicable. Positive STI results don’t impact your ability to start on PrEP with the exception of HIV. If you test positive for HIV you cannot be prescribed PrEP medication.

Absolutely. All positive STI results will have a phone consult with a PrEP Health doctor. This consult guides you through your diagnoses and treatment options where applicable.

We understand this will be a hard time for you and we’re here to support you. You will have a phone consult with one of our experienced and caring PrEP Health doctors who will guide you through your diagnoses.

Yes. If your results show positive for HIV or poor kidney health we will  refund what you paid.

All PrEP Health phone consults are bilk billed with a valid Medicare card. If you do not have a medicare card, you will be charged a private consultation fee at the time of booking.

Our process to prescribe you PrEP is as digital as possible for confidentiality and convenience. However to align with prescribing and treatment guidelines you are required to have a phone consult with a PrEP Health doctor at the following times: 1) ALL NEW PATIENTS require a phone consult 2) ALL PREP PATIENTS have 1 annual phone consult 3) ALL POSITIVE STI RESULTS require a phone consult. Our doctors are experienced in sexual health, caring and will guide you through your PrEP journey.

You can take your test at any pathology clinic Australia-wide. Most major providers will accept our referral and bulk bill if you have a valid Medicare card. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and confirm with the clinic, just to be safe.

You don’t need to print your referral in most cases, many clinics can access it digitally. If you’re unsure, give the clinic a quick call beforehand.

You shouldn’t need an appointment, but this can vary depending on the location, so it’s worth checking.

Results are usually available within 2 to 3 business days. If you haven’t heard from us after that, reach out and we’ll follow it up.

Let us know if you need help finding a clinic near you.

A window period is the time it takes for an infection to become detectable by a test. Testing too early may produce a false negative, so it’s important to be aware of these timeframes:

• HIV: Can take up to 6 weeks (sometimes 12 weeks) to show up on a test
• Syphilis: May not appear for 3–12 weeks
• Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea: Usually detectable within 2–7 days

If you’re tested within the window period for any STI, it’s important to return for a follow-up test after the window period has passed.

Do not wait for a standard STI test. You must seek immediate medical attention at a hospital emergency department or sexual health clinic to receive Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a course of antiretroviral medication that can prevent HIV infection if started within 72 hours of exposure – ideally within 24 hours. Visit getpep.info for more information and to find your nearest PEP provider.