What is PrEP?
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or "PrEP" is a pill for people who are HIV negative that protects you from HIV.
Read PrEP Basics in English and Spanish.
Read the CDC overview PrEP basics for more information.
Is PrEP safe and effective?
PrEP should be taken every day to be effective. Several studies show that people who took PrEP consistently had up to a 99% lower risk of getting HIV infection than those who did not take PrEP.
Should I take PrEP?
PrEP is not for everyone. Potential candidates include anyone who:
- Is in an ongoing sexual relationship with a person living with HIV who is not virally suppressed
- Does not use condoms regularly when having sex with partners at known risk for HIV
- Is a gay or bisexual man who has had sex without a condom or diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection within the past six months
- Has injected drugs and shared needles within the past six months
How can I get PrEP?
Need help figuring it out? Talk to someone about it. PrEP navigation services are available at:
The Spahr Center
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 457-2487
Marin PrEP Providers:
- Marin Community Clinics (drop-in STD services 4-7pm Mondays & Thursdays)
- Planned Parenthood San Rafael
- One Medical Group
- Kaiser Permanente
- Find Other Bay Area Providers
PrEP is covered by most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal. See the fact sheet on how to get PrEP depending on your insurance situation.
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It involves taking a pill to prevent HIV as soon as possible but no more than 72 hours (3 days) after you may have been exposed to HIV, to try to reduce the chance of becoming HIV-positive. The sooner a PEP regimen is started postexposure, the greater the chances that it will prevent HIV infection.
Sources: AIDS.gov (including images); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
