What is PEP

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected.

Is PEP right for me?

If you’re HIV-negative or don’t know your HIV status, and in the last 72 hours you

• think you may have been exposed to HIV during sex
• shared needles and works to prepare drugs (for example, cotton, cookers, water)
• were sexually assaulted

PEP in Bangkok

Looking for PEP in Bangkok and where to get PEP? Many hospitals and clinics in Bangkok are offering PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis) at different pricing. But depending on each healthcare provider, you may get different drugs from each place for the PEP regimen as there are many combinations of drugs that can work as a PEP. Also, since PEP drugs can sometimes work interchangeably with HIV treatment drugs, some healthcare providers in Bangkok will prescribe HIV treatment drugs as PEP drugs; this can sometimes result in a patient getting unbearable side effects from a very strong drug that is an overkill for a regular PEP regimen. Therefore, you should ask about the PEP drugs first before start taking it.

Alternatively, you can find the specialized healthcare provider that works in an area of sexual health. This kind of healthcare provider often have more choices of PEP drug for patients to choose from, and many of them won’t give you any strong side effects. If you think you might need PEP or uncertain whether you need it or not, you can contact Safe Clinic for consultation.

Safe Clinic is a polyclinic that works specifically about sexual health, including STD checkups, treatments, consultation, and PEP/PrEP prescription. However, you must take PEP within 72 hours after a potential expose to HIV, so make sure that you get it in time; otherwise, the PEP will not be effective.

How can I get PEP

• Go to your healthcare provider within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV.
• Then you will have to do a blood test for HIV testing and general health evaluation.
• After that you will be prescribed PEP to take for 28 days and your healthcare provider will make an appointment for you to do a blood test for HIV again in one month.

How to take PEP correctly

• PEP must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV, but taking it as soon as possible is the best way to do.
• If you’re prescribed PEP, you’ll need to take it once or twice daily for 28 days.
• PEP is effective in preventing HIV when administered correctly, but not 100%.

How Well Does PEP Work ?

How effective is PEP exactly? The golden period for PEP medication is 72 hours after a potential exposure to HIV, and it is proven to be highly effective if it is started within this period. PEP can make sure that you won’t be infected with HIV, regardless of the means that you caught it. However, you must take it daily for at least 28 days, and on top of daily dosage, it must be at the same hour every day. This is because the PEP drug will show its full effectiveness if taken as mentioned.

When should I take PEP?

The PEP is recommended whenever you think that you might be exposed to HIV by any means. But sometimes PEP can work as a placebo for the peace of mind of a patient too. This doesn’t mean that PEP isn’t effective; it means that a patient decided to take PEP even while knowing that they weren’t exposed to HIV in the first place to make sure that they’re safe.

How can I pay for PEP?

You can check the PEP cost at your nearby healthcare provider as each place will have different pricing for this service. You can enquire about the payment options too, as some places will accept only in cash but not cards.

Does PEP have any side effects

Some side effects like nausea, dizziness, may occurred but they usually subside in one week. These side effects aren’t life-threatening.

How Long Do I Need to Take PEP?

The global PEP guideline stated that PEP should be taken at least 28 days (at least 28 pills in total) to achieve a successful treatment. However, most drugs will contain 30 pills in a bottle, which leads to some healthcare provider to sell the whole 30 pills in a bottle instead of separate pills. But this is entirely depending on the decision of each healthcare provider.

Stopping pep after 5 days

Stopping the PEP course before 28 days’ mark is highly dangerous as it may result in treatment failure, and failing treatment means a risk of getting HIV infection.

Can I Take PEP Every Time I Have Unprotected Sex?

You can take PEP every time you have unprotected sex. But if you can anticipate any unprotected sex in the future, you can take PrEP in-advance to protect yourself as it is cheaper than a course of PEP, and both PrEP and PEP will work in the same way.

Why does pep fail?

There’re possibilities that PEP can fail to prevent HIV infection. This is due to four possible reasons,

1. The period isn’t truly within 72 hours There may be another risk before the 72 hours’ mark that the patient did not aware of or did not tell the doctor before start taking PEP.
2. Not all the necessary tests were made The necessary tests, e.g., hepatitis C, kidney function, and liver function test, are the things that must be done before prescribing PEP to ensure that a patient is eligible for PEP.
3. The patient didn’t take PEP for at least 28 days This is the most crucial step that will determine the outcome of PEP treatment. If the treatment failed, then this reason will be one of the possibilities that the doctor will check.
4. There was no follow-up test after 28 days of medication This step is also necessary for PEP treatment. After a follow-up test, the patient will get to meet the doctor again to consult about their sexual activities. If there were any sexual activities within the last seven days of the PEP course, then the doctor will prescribe more PEP drugs for another one week to ensure that PEP can successfully prevent HIV infection.