PrEP is a medication that can help prevent HIV when taken as prescribed by a clinician.
PrEP is approved in Canada and requires a prescription.
Only 1-10% of patients on PrEP experience side effects. Most symptoms tend to go away within 1-2 weeks naturally.
PrEP only helps protect against HIV, not other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis.
“PrEP is like birth control, but for HIV prevention.”
PrEP is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a pill that can greatly reduce your risk of contracting HIV.
PrEP can be taken by anyone that is not HIV+ and is looking for additional protection against HIV. This includes men who have sex with men, transgender women, and gender-diverse communities. PrEP may be a fit for you if you:
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Don’t use condoms consistently
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Share drug injection equipment
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Don’t know the HIV status of your sexual partners
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Have more than one or anonymous sexual partners
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Tested positive for infectious syphilis or a bacterial STI in the last year
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Have used post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) more than once
It’s recommended to speak with a PrEP provider to decide if PrEP is a fit for your needs. Book a free virtual consultation now!
PrEP is a daily pill that is 99% effective at preventing the transmission of HIV.
PrEP is approved in Canada and requires a prescription.
Only 1-10% of patients on PrEP experience side effects. Most symptoms tend to go away within 1-2 weeks naturally.
PrEP only protects against HIV, not other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis.
The vast majority of Freddie patients get PrEP prescribed online & discreetly delivered for $0.
PrEP is a pill that is taken orally. There are two methods for taking PrEP to prevent HIV.
Daily PrEP is the most common type of PrEP prescription and is 99% effective. Simply take 1 PrEP pill every 24 hours for maximum protection. It’s recommended to take daily PrEP at the same time every day.
Most providers in the U.S. will choose to prescribe daily PrEP as evidence suggests it is most effective in preventing HIV.
The vast majority of Freddie patients pay $0 to get their PrEP prescribed online and discreetly delivered.
PrEP on-demand is less commonly prescribed because it requires careful planning and tracking of sexual activity – and we know sex isn’t always planned. Studies show that it is effective at preventing HIV, but there is a higher chance of missed doses or low drug levels that might make it not quite as effective as daily PrEP. 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 is ideal for someone who can’t access a sufficient supply of PrEP due to cost or if they have predictable and fluctuating sexual behavior.
To take PrEP on-demand, you must take a total of 4 pills in the following order:
Pills 1-2
Take two PrEP pills 2-24 hours before sexual contact
Pill 3
Wait 24 hours and take PrEP pill 3
Pill 4
Wait 24 hours and take PrEP pill 4
The vast majority of Freddie patients pay $0 to get their PreP prescribed online and discreetly delivered.
Start Free AssessmentIf you are considering PrEP, it’s recommended you chat with your PrEP provider to determine which method best fits your needs.
PrEP is considered safe for the vast majority of people that take the medication.
Some of the possible short-term side effects attributed to PrEP medication include nausea, headaches, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Trials show that these side effects impact between 1% and 10% of people on PrEP, and that they are generally mild and clear up on their own within a week or two.
In a small number of people, PrEP has resulted in a decrease in kidney function and bone density.
Fortunately, even in these cases, there was no increase in the risk of kidney failure and these effects were reversed after they stopped taking PrEP.
Regular lab testing while on PrEP is incredibly important to make sure that PrEP is well tolerated. For example, frequent HIV testing makes sure that you aren’t HIV+ and taking PrEP; PrEP is only for patients who aren’t HIV+, since taking PrEP can make medication intended for HIV treatment less effective.
All patients on PrEP are required to get tested every 3 months to renew their prescriptions. This testing also keeps you updated on your status for other STIs and any interactions with other medications you’re taking.
The price of PrEP medication varies depending on the province or territory you live in and the type of insurance you have. With Freddie, most patients get PrEP + discreet delivery for $0.
Freddie is currently only available in:
• Alberta
• British Columbia*
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Saskatchewan
*Due to provincial regulations, Freddie can only serve patients with private insurance in British Columbia at this time.
Insurance caps may influence your eligibility to affordably access PrEP. We encourage you to speak with your insurance provider to learn if you have an insurance cap and subsequently, how it may affect your benefits. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us.
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PrEP is free with the majority of health insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act.
Thanks to Freddie’s partnership with CBOs, we are also able to offer all of our other clinical services – such as clinician appointments, at-home lab kits and ongoing support – for free.
Freddie has helped thousands of patients navigate insurance plans and financial assistance options to get PrEP at the lowest cost possible.
Use our 1-minute PrEP cost calculator to see if Freddie can help you get free PrEP!
The price of PrEP without insurance varies greatly depending on the prescribed drug.
Descovy and Truvada – the two PrEP drugs available in the U.S. – can both cost up to $2,000 monthly paid out of pocket. The generic version of Truvada costs approximately $60 for a month’s supply.
Even if you don’t have insurance, Freddie can help you work with a local clinic to get PrEP through an Affordable Care Act plan that could reduce your PrEP costs to $0.
Book an appointment with us to find out more!
