Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
PrEP Basics
Injectable PrEP is an injection you get at your healthcare clinic that is 99% effective at stopping HIV.
There are two injectable PrEP medications:
- Apretude | You get 1 injection every 2 months (6 times a year).
- Yeztugo | You get 2 injections every 6 months (2 times a year).
PrEP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis:
Pre = before
Exposure = coming into contact with HIV
Prophylaxis = treatment to prevent infection
Apretude
Apretude blocks the HIV integrase enzyme that lets HIV into your cell’s DNA. You can think of the enzyme as a key. PrEP stops the key from going in the lock. When the virus can’t get into your cell’s DNA, you stay HIV negative.
Yeztugo
HIV needs an outer shell (capsid) to travel around in your blood and make more HIV. When HIV comes into contact with your cells, it removes this outer shell to drop off the ingredients to make more HIV.
The new HIV builds its own outer shell so it can travel around in your blood and make more HIV. Yeztugo keeps you HIV negative by stopping the removal and building of the outer shell.
Injectable PrEP works extremely well at preventing HIV when you get your injections on time. Studies have shown that injectable PrEP lowers the risk of getting HIV through sex by more than 99%.
Yes! PrEP is safe for cisgender and transgender women.
If PrEP is like birth control, then PEP is like the morning after pill.
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is medication that someone who is currently HIV-negative can take to stop HIV after exposure to the virus. PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure and continued for 28 days. If you feel you may need PEP, please call Equitas Health at (833) 378-4827.
Post = after
Exposure = coming into contact with HIV
Prophylaxis = treatment to prevent infection
PrEP does NOT prevent other STIs. There is a pill that helps prevent most STIs. DoxyPEP is like the morning after pill for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Ask your Equitas Health provider about DoxyPEP at your PrEP appointment.
Getting Started on PrEP
The CDC suggests that PrEP is an excellent option for people who weigh at least 77 pounds (35kg), are currently HIV-negative, and can answer ‘Yes’ to one or more of the following questions:
- Are you in a sexual relationship with someone who is living with detectable or undetectable HIV?
- Are you in a sexual relationship with a partner or partners with an unknown HIV status?
- Have you had anal or vaginal sex without a condom at least one time in the last 6 months?
- Have you had gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis in the last 6 months?
- Have you Injected drugs not prescribed by a medical provider or share works for drug preparation?
PrEP will not be a good option if you can answer ‘Yes’ any of the following questions:
- Are already living with HIV?
- Do you have symptoms of acute HIV infection, or have you been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours?
The most common side effect is soreness or redness where the shot is given. For most people, it only lasts a couple of days and improves with each shot.
If you have prolonged side effects, please let your Equitas Health doctor or pharmacist know right away.
- You can leave a message for them on MyChart.
- You can also call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (833) 378-4827.
PrEP does not interact with gender-affirming hormones.
You can get PrEP shots when you are at risk of HIV. For some people, this can mean when you are sexually active and not in a relationship – or are in an open relationship. Some people stay on PrEP for a lifetime with regular testing to make sure they are healthy enough to stay on PrEP.
If you are thinking about stopping injectable PrEP, please talk to your Equitas Health provider or pharmacist. They will help you stop as safely and quickly as possible.
Depending on which PrEP you take and the body parts you have, PrEP will start protecting you within two to twenty-one days.
Before you can start PrEP, you will need to complete lab work to make sure PrEP is right for you.
You will be tested for:
- HIV
- Kidney function (if applicable)
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis (optional, but highly recommended)
- Pregnancy (if applicable)
You will also take the medication in pill form for a couple of weeks. This will help make sure you do not have any side effects from the medication before you get your first shot.
You can only get PrEP shots at a healthcare clinic.
- You will make appointments to get your PrEP shots at an Equitas Health Pharmacy.
- Our pharmacy team will work with you to make sure you get your injections on time.
- Communication is key! If you need to cancel or change an appointment, let us know as soon as possible.
You will get an HIV test each time you get a shot. You can also get STI testing as well.
- Getting your labs done helps keep you and your partner(s) healthy.
- Even though almost everyone who uses PrEP as directed stays HIV-negative, we want you to have that extra peace of mind.
- Besides HIV testing, you and your provider will talk about which labs are right for you.
The most important thing you need to do is keep your appointments for your shots.
Paying for PrEP
- At your PrEP appointment, tell your provider that you would like to speak to a PrEP Health Navigators.
- They can help sign you up for programs that help cover the cost of your PrEP prescription, PrEP visits, and labs.
- Most Ohioans can get PrEP free through a program called PAPI.
You can get PrEP paid for with PAPI, if you:
- Have a negative HIV status
- Live in Ohio
- Make less than $72,900 a year
PAPI pays for:
- Office and medical co-pays
- Lab work co-pays (for HIV/STI testing and routine blood work)
- Prescription co-pays that other programs do not cover
- Medical services for people who cannot get insurance
- Health insurance premiums
99% of people pay nothing for PrEP with or without insurance. Many insurance plans do cover PrEP. A PrEP Health Navigator will work with you to figure out what your insurance will cover. They will also help you figure out what your out-of-pocket costs will be.
If you don’t have insurance, or your insurance does not make PrEP affordable, you can still get PrEP. Equitas Health will connect you to programs, like PAPI, that cover the cost of PrEP medications, lab work, and co-pays. PAPI is an Ohio Department of Health program that makes PrEP free for most Ohioans.
Getting your PrEP at Equitas Health
Availability
Equitas Health is one of the few providers in Ohio where you can get injectable PrEP.
Expertise
Our providers are extremely knowledgeable about PrEP. You can get answers to any questions you might have about taking PrEP.
Affirming Care
At Equitas Health, you will get quality, affordable, and affirming care regardless of your race, sexual orientation, zip code, or gender identity.
Increasing Access to Care
Profits from Equitas Health Pharmacy pay for 80% of all Equitas Health services and programs. When you get your PrEP shot at Equitas Health, you are helping protect quality, affordable, and affirming care for you and your community!