Relationships/LGBTQIA/Sexuality

Can I Take PrEP to Prevent HIV Only When I Need It?

Some men who have sex with men may only need to take medications intermittently to prevent HIV.

Truvada (F/TDF) is unquestionably one of the best tools for stopping the spread of HIV.

PrEP, taken once a day, reduces the risk of HIV infection from sexual activity by up to 99%.

F/TDF is a combination of two antiviral agents. Pre-exposure prophylaxis is called PrEP. Until late 2019, Truvada was the only medication approved for PrEP.

Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved a second generic agent that will be released in September 2020, a year earlier than expected.

Descovy, another agent for daily administration is available. Gilead Sciences manufactures both Truvada and Descovy.

The cost of PrEP has been a barrier to the use of Truvada.

According to a report on NBC, a month’s supply of Truvada in the United States sells for $1,600 to $2,000, while a month’s supply of the generic version in other countries sells for only $70 a month.

Activists have pressured for the release of a generic version of Truvada to make it available to a highly…