PrEP for Your Future
P r E P f o r Y o u r H e a l t h
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Mission
Why are we doing this?
The mission of the NJePrEP application is to increase the use of PrEP among Black/African American & Latino gay, bisexual men through daily reminders with the support of your own PrEP counselors. In order to decrease the chances of acquiring HIV by 99% and ending the epidemic in NJ, CDC urges PrEP users to take their medication every day. With the increase of PrEP usage, we have the hope of lowering the transmission risk of HIV in the state of New Jersey!
The mission of the NJePrEP application is to increase the use of PrEP among Black/African American & Latino gay, bisexual men through daily reminders with the support of your own PrEP counselors. In order to decrease the chances of acquiring HIV by 99% and ending the epidemic in NJ, CDC urges PrEP users to take their medication every day. With the increase of PrEP usage, we have the hope of lowering the transmission risk of HIV in the state of New Jersey!
PrEP UptakeIncrease PrEP usage among Black/African American & Latino gay, bisexual men who are at high-risk
PrEP AdherenceHave PrEP clients remain on PrEP for 6 months or more
Decrease TransmissionDecrease HIV transmission rates in New Jersey
What is PrEP?
What is PrEP?
How Effective is PrEP?
How Quickly Does PrEP Start Working?
Who is Eligible for PrEP?
What Medication Would I be Given?
Can I Stop Using Condoms While on PrEP?
Will PrEP Affect My Hormone Therapy?
Can I Start and Stop Taking PrEP?
Do I Have to Share that I'm Taking PrEP?
How Can I Pay for PrEP?
What is PrEP?
PrEP is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Like birth control, PrEP is a pill taken daily by people who do not have HIV to protect against HIV.
Truvada was the first drug approved for use as PrEP for both men and women by the Food & Drug Administration in 2012. In 2019, a second drug, Descovy, was approved by the FDA for use by men.
While PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV, it does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Condoms protect against most other STDs, as well as HIV and pregnancy.
How Effective is PrEP?
Both forms of PrEP are highly effective when taken as prescribed. PrEP is a pill you take daily that lowers your chances of contracting HIV through sex by more than 90%. And if you inject drugs, it lowers your chances by 70%.
PrEP must be taken for some time before it reaches maximum effectiveness.
How Quickly Does PrEP Start Working?
PrEP must be taken for some time before exposure to HIV to be effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PrEP reaches maximum protection from HIV through receptive anal sex after about 7 days of daily use. For receptive vaginal sex and injection drug use, the CDC estimates that PrEP reaches maximum protection after about 20 days of daily use. To maintain maximum effectiveness, PrEP should be taken every day as prescribed.
Who is Eligible for PrEP?
Anyone who is HIV negative. PrEP is for anyone who wants added protection against HIV. Your health care provider can help you decide if PrEP is a good fit for you. Some things to consider: how often you (and/or your partners) use condoms; whether you know the HIV status of your partners and if they are on ongoing treatment; and/or whether you have recently had any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you or your partner use injection drugs, PrEP may also help protect against HIV.
What Medication Would I be Given?
The two medications approved by the FDA are Truvada and Descovy. You and your health care provider will decide which one is right for you.
Can I Stop Using Condoms While on PrEP?
If you want to protect yourself from other STDs, you should still use condoms. PrEP protects you from HIV, but it won't protect you from other STDs, including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis. It also won't prevent pregnancy. Only condoms can help prevent both STDs and pregnancy. To be effective, condoms must be used correctly and consistently.
Will PrEP Affect My Hormone Therapy?
No, PrEP does not affect hormone therapy. Check out this video of Dr. Demetre Daskalakis confirming that there are no known drug interactions between PrEP and gender affirming hormones. Hormone therapy on PrEP? - Greater Than AIDS
Can I Start and Stop Taking PrEP?
Can you? Sure. But as soon you as you stop taking it, you put yourself at risk for HIV exposure. If you decide to stop and start, make sure you're using a condom as well.
Do I Have to Share that I'm Taking PrEP?
Nope. You don't have to share that you're on PrEP with anyone if you don't want to. Taking PrEP is a personal decision and it's 100% up to you who you want to share it with. But regardless, don't feel ashamed. You made the excellent choice to take your sexual health into your own hands and you can feel proud of that.
How Can I Pay for PrEP?
PrEP is covered by Medicaid and by many private insurance companies. So if you have insurance, you're probably all set. But if you don't have insurance, no worries. There are other resources for paying for PrEP. Ask your PrEP Counselor for options!
Is PrEP Safe?
PrEP is very safe and, for most people, there are no major side effects. But, like with any drug, some people reported nausea, dizziness, and fatigue after using PrEP. You can read more about the side effects of PrEP on the CDC's PrEP page
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