PEP and PrEP

Unfortunately, there is still no effective HIV vaccine that can protect healthy people from the infection. However, there are two important methods of drug-assisted HIV prevention: pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), both of which are available at Linda Kliinik.

PrEP and PEP are two main antiretroviral treatments used for protection against HIV transmission.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication is taken before possible exposure to HIV. PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) medication is taken after possible exposure to HIV.

• Occasionally have sex without a condom and have multiple partners, or have a partner who has multiple sexual partners, or you don't know whether your partner has HIV.


• Have sex with an HIV-positive person, but are not sure if their HIV has been under control (undetectable) for at least 6 months in a row, or if they are definitely still on their HIV medication.


• Have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past six months.


• Inject drugs, especially if you share needles with others.


• Occasionally have unprotected sex with people who inject drugs.

You can take PEP if you do not currently have HIV but think that you may have been infected in any of the following cases:

• You may have contracted HIV during intercourse (for example, you had unprotected sex or a condom broke).


• You have shared needles or other utensils while injecting drugs.


• You have been sexually assaulted.


• You may have been exposed to HIV in a work environment (for example, you accidentally pricked yourself with a needle while working as a healthcare worker).

PEP must be started within less than 72 hours. Otherwise, the treatment will be much less effective. You will need to take the medication daily for 28 days.

To start taking PrEP, make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist at Linda Kliinik by phone or e-mail. You do not need a referral from your family physician for this. Visit is free of charge. During your visit your doctor will determine whether this therapy is suitable for you, and, if this is the case, will prescribe a prescription medication to be taken once a day.

• Having a sexual partner with HIV.


• Unprotected sex without a condom.


• Sexually transmitted diseases diagnosed within the last 6 months.


• Sharing needles and syringes when injecting drugs.

The above medication is subject to a 50% discount from the Health Insurance Fund. You can take the medication for up to 90 days at a time.

PrEP medication consists of the same agents that are used to treat HIV, but it is taken in a shortened and incomplete regimen. The mechanism of action of PrEP is simple: if the medication managed to get into the body in advance, then if the virus enters the body the medication can kill HIV before it has time to gain a foothold in the body.

PrEP therapy is effective only if the patient takes the medication according to the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor. Also, it is important to remember that taking PrEP does not protect you from other sexually transmitted infections, and even if you are taking PrEP, you must use a condom during sex.

If a high-risk contact did occur, and you did not have time to protect yourself with either a condom or PrEP, and no more than 72 hours have passed since the contact, the so-called post-exposure prophylaxis can help you avoid the infection.

PEP should be taken exactly as directed and for 28 days continuously. Skipping even one day of taking PEP reduces the likelihood of successful therapy. Do not double your dose if you miss one day. If you miss a dose and remember about it less than 24 hours later, take your next dose as soon as you remember.