PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of contracting HIV for people who may be at higher risk of exposure. Taken daily, PrEP can significantly lower your chances of getting HIV and help you feel more confident in protecting your health.
At Health Services of North Texas, our experienced providers offer PrEP care in Denton and Plano, TX, with judgment-free support and personalized guidance to help you decide if PrEP is right for you.
PrEP may be a good option for people who face an increased risk of HIV exposure due to their relationships, sexual activity, or injection drug use. Individuals with an HIV-positive partner or those who share injection equipment may benefit from additional protection through PrEP.
At Health Services of North Texas, our providers offer individualized PrEP care, helping you understand your risk and determine whether PrEP fits into your overall prevention plan.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) represents a groundbreaking approach to HIV prevention for individuals who may be at risk of exposure. PrEP is a safe and effective way to significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV and can be an important part of an overall sexual health and prevention plan. Some of the benefits of PrEP at Health Services of North Texas include:
PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, so regular testing and safe practices are still important. Our care team is here to help determine if PrEP is right for you and to support you every step of the way.
The contraction of HIV can often be avoided by following proper prevention methods. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) can be an effective prevention option for individuals depending on their lifestyle and level of risk. Potential patients should weigh at least 77 pounds and must test negative for HIV before beginning treatment. PrEP may be especially important for the following groups of people:
PrEP works by taking a pill once a day as prescribed. When taken consistently, PrEP helps prevent HIV from establishing a permanent infection in the body if exposure occurs. Studies have shown that PrEP can reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sexual contact by up to 99% and through injection drug use by approximately 74%.
For PrEP to be most effective, it must be taken daily. Missing doses can significantly reduce its protective benefits. Because PrEP only protects against HIV, it is still important to use condoms to reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases and to provide additional protection if PrEP has not been taken consistently.
Once you start taking PrEP, we will schedule regular follow-up appointments, typically every three months, to monitor your health, make any necessary adjustments, and refill your prescription. These visits also include routine testing to ensure PrEP continues to be safe and effective for you.
Some patients may experience mild side effects when starting PrEP, such as headache, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, or fatigue. These side effects are usually temporary and tend to improve as your body adjusts to the medication.
It is important to note that PrEP only protects against HIV and does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections. If you are considering stopping PrEP at any time, we recommend speaking with our care team first so we can help you do so safely and discuss alternative prevention options.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), PrEP treatments reach optimal effectiveness at preventing the contraction of HIV within about seven days of daily use.
Yes, you must take PrEP medication every day, or it will lose its effectiveness.
Yes, you can. While PrEP can be effective at reducing your chances of contracting HIV, you can still get other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and should always use protection.
The most common side effects experienced with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate can include:
