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When PrEP is taken daily, it reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by 99%.
When PrEP is taken daily, it reduces the risk of getting HIV from drug injection by 84%.
PrEP is highly effective for anal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for seven days.
PrEP is highly effective for vaginal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for 21 days.
PrEP can be taken by anyone that is HIV-negative and looking for additional protection against HIV. This includes men who have sex with men, transgender women, and gender-diverse communities.
The most common ways HIV is transmitted are through condomless anal sex, sharing injection equipment, and condomless vaginal sex.
When PrEP is taken daily, it reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by 99%.
When PrEP is taken daily, it reduces the risk of getting HIV from drug injection by 84%.
PrEP is highly effective for anal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for seven days.
PrEP is highly effective for vaginal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for 21 days.
Both receptive and insertive partners are at risk for HIV transmission during anal sex.
People who share injection drug equipment, like needles, cookers, filters, and water, are at higher risk of HIV transmission.
Both receptive and insertive partners are at risk for HIV transmission during vaginal sex.
Daily PrEP is the most common type of PrEP prescription. Patients take 1 PrEP pill every 24 hours for maximum protection. Studies show that daily PrEP offers 99% protection during sex and 84% during drug injection. It’s recommended to take daily PrEP at the same time every day.
Most providers in Canada will choose to prescribe daily PrEP, as evidence suggests it is most effective in preventing HIV.
If you are considering PrEP, we encourage you to chat with your PrEP provider to determine the method that best fits your needs.
The vast majority of Freddie patients pay $0 to get their PrEP prescribed online and discreetly delivered.
PrEP on-demand is prescribed on a less frequent basis. This is because PrEP on-demand requires careful planning and tracking of sexual activity - and we know sex isn’t always planned.
PrEP on-demand has only been approved for people having anal sex - those having vaginal/frontal sex should not consider PrEP on-demand due to differences in the time it takes PrEP to act in body tissues.
Studies show that PrEP on-demand is an effective tool for HIV prevention and equal in effectiveness to daily PrEP when taken properly, but its use requires taking it exactly as prescribed for 100% of sexual encounters with regular and irregular partners. But if you and your prescriber think it’s right for you, it is a great way to prevent HIV.
PrEP on-demand does not require daily intake. This method is ideal for someone who can’t access a sufficient supply of PrEP due to cost or if they have predictable and fluctuating sexual behaviour.
To take PrEP on-demand, you must take a total of 4 pills in the following order:
Take two PrEP pills 2-24 hours before sexual contact
Wait 24 hours and take PrEP pill #3
Wait 24 hours and take PrEP pill #4
If you are considering PrEP, we encourage you to chat with your PrEP provider to determine the method that best fits your needs.
The vast majority of Freddie patients pay $0 to get their PrEP prescribed online and discreetly delivered.
Research has found that PrEP is less effective when it isn’t taken exactly as prescribed. This lack of protection is because there isn’t enough of the medicine in your body to prevent HIV from spreading.
As PrEP’s efficiency decreases when doses are missed, adherence (taking your medication as prescribed) is essential to maintain maximum levels of protection.
PrEP is not immediately beneficial. Like any other medication, it takes time for it to take effect.
Anal sex (7 days)
PrEP is highly effective for anal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for seven days.
The double dose with PrEP on-demand is thought to rapidly increase drug levels to offer similar protection.
Vaginal sex (21 days)
PrEP is highly effective for vaginal sex after daily PrEP is taken consistently for 21 days.
Drug Injection (7 days)
This area is less well studied, but PrEP should be highly effective in preventing HIV infection for injection drug use after daily PrEP is taken consistently for seven days.
Book Free ConsultationPrEP only protects against the transmission of HIV, not other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis.
It’s recommended that you use a condom alongside PrEP to maximize your protection against HIV and other STIs.
PrEP is considered one of the best tools for HIV prevention and is up to 99% effective at protecting against HIV.
Interested in learning more about PrEP? Freddie has worked with 15,000+ patients to address their questions and concerns. 90% of Freddie patients get PrEP for $0.
Book a free phone consultation with one of our affirming clinicians today!
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Reviewed by:
Dr. Caley Shukalek
Caley is passionate about evidence-based patient-centred care, including telemedicine that can provide high quality care from wherever a patient may choose.
He helped create Alberta’s PrEP guidelines and works as a specialist in General Internal Medicine with additional training in sexual health, including HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
He holds a Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, an MD from the University of Calgary and an MSc from the University of Alberta.
