HIV PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) - Truvada 



HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is available in the form of a single once-daily tablet, Truvada. Truvada contains emtricitabine & tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. It is recommended for patients who are NOT infected with HIV, but have high-risk of acquiring HIV through needle use or sexual encounters. Once taking PrEP, patient should meet with their clinician every 3 months in order to receive a new prescription, get counseled for adherence & side effect management, as well as running monitoring tests. These tests include a bacterial STI symptomatic assessment, HIV & pregnancy tests. Renal function should be checked after the first 3 months, then every 6 months thereafter, because of the risk of nephrotoxicity from TDF (TAF does not have this risk, but is not approved for PrEP).



Adherence to the daily medication and monitoring parameters is crucial in ensuring that PrEP actually works. This is a very effective measure of prevention especially if coupled with practicing safe sex and avoiding needle sharing, as well as having patients who have HIV maintain undetectable viral loads.



Jarred Prudencio, PharmD - https://www.instagram.com/ambcarerx



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