PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS

BACKGROUND

In August 2021, the Imbokodo study on HIV vaccine on 2600 women revealed no protection against HIV. In June 2022, Tel Aviv University revealed that a one-time injection might be the answer to a permanent cure (Alessio D. Nahmad et al.).Today, many discoveries for HIV treatment may not have been in practice, yet some careful steps have immediate and valuable impacts on preventing HIV. Initial patient treatment with HIV can help prevent them from more infections and diseases.

A form of such approach of medication used for HIV is termed Antiretroviral Therapy. It aims to lower the level of HIV, which viruses are unable to transmit. When the level of the virus is low, the immune system is ready to fight back and protect the body from further disease spreading. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has approved more than 20 medications for HIV cure. This article explains how one such medication is helpful in prevention and cure.

What is PrEP?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is an FDA-approved oral medication for preventing HIV. It is a combination of the Truvada pill, having 99% effectiveness in preventing HIV risk. Truvada contains two active substances, emtricitabine (200 mg) and tenofovir disoproxil (245 mg). For HIV treatment, the recommended dose is one pill a day. It is used from age 12 onwards, adulthood.

How are Prep taken/ OPTIONS?

Ask your healthcare practitioner to suggest a better dose of PREP. Taking Prep is divided into two doses or ways:

Regular / DAILY DOSE

On-Demand PrEP:

Long-Acting Injectable PrEP:

Types of PREP

Currently, PrEP tablets and vaginal PrEP rings are approved BY FDA for use. There are two combinations of anti-HIV drugs approved to provide a protective ring against HIV to be used as PrEP tablets are:

Depending on your health condition, present diseases, and infection, ask your healthcare practitioner to guide you

Vaginal rings

Prep Effectivity

The effectiveness of Prep is supported by

Risk factors/safety

Prep is safe and has no significant health side effects. Yet some show mild effects like nausea, loss of appetite,r fatigue, stomach pain, headaches, rash kidney damage. The organ damage is probably due to increased creatinine and transaminases in the liver and kidney. These side effects take up to one month to vanish. Other risks include reduced bone mineral density, which can be tackled by using alternative medicines ( vitamin D and calcium supplements). Reasonable care by regular checkups and tests is advisable to avoid further organ issues and physical differences. For further recommendations about stopping or changing dosage, consulting a doctor is advisable.