What are PEP guidelines?

Key Points

• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) means taking HIV medicines within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent HIV infection.
• PEP should be used only in emergency situations.
• PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV.

WHO recommended PEP regimen?

Wherever PEP is indicated and source is ART naive or unknown: recommended regimen is Tenofovir 300 mg + Lamivudine 300 mg + Efavirenz 600 mg once daily for 28 days. Wherever available, single pill containing these formulations should be used. Dual drug regimen should not be used any longer in any situation for PEP.

When is PEP recommended?

PEP is the use of antiretroviral drugs after a single high-risk event to stop HIV seroconversion. PEP must be started as soon as possible to be effective—and always within 72 hours of a possible exposure.

Why is PEP 72 hours?

PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is a short course of HIV medicines taken very soon after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body. You must start it within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure to HIV, or it won’t work.

Does PEP work after 36 hours?

Thus, even though PEP is often offered for up to 72 hours after exposure, it should be initiated as early as possible. After 72 hours, PEP is not effective, and there are gradations in efficacy from 24 hours postexposure, to 36, 48, and 72 hours.

Can you use Truvada alone as PEP?

Yes. Yes, Truvada is a combination of two antiretrovirals and can be used for PEP. In some cases a three-drug PEP regimen is preferred. The guidelines for post-PEP HIV testing recommend HIV-antibody testing at four-to-six weeks, three months and six months.

Does PEP work after 72 hours?

How well does PEP work? If taken within 72 hours after possible exposure, PEP is highly effective in preventing HIV. But to be safe, you should take other actions to protect your partners while you are taking PEP.

Can I get PEP over the counter?

You can buy the emergency contraceptive pill from chemists, and it is usually also available from GPs, sexual health clinics and A&E departments.

Is PEP effective after 36 hours?

Can PEP be taken after 72 hours?

If taken within 72 hours after possible exposure, PEP is highly effective in preventing HIV. But to be safe, you should take other actions to protect your partners while you are taking PEP. This includes always using condoms with sexual partners and not sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs.

How effective is PEP after 72 hours?

PEP should be initiated as soon as possible “hours, not days” and ideally within 24-36 hours. There is no evidence of PEP efficacy when initiated past 72 hours.

What are the diagnostic guidelines for Pep?

Guidelines recommend the following baseline screening before initiating PEP: HIV rapid test at baseline. If baseline rapid test indicates existing HIV infection, PEP should not be started. However, if rapid HIV baseline test is not available, there should be no delay in starting PEP.

What is PEP (post exposure prophylaxis)?

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can be used to prevent HIV after a specific, high-risk exposure to HIV. By familiarizing yourself with PEP, you can help protect your patients from HIV. Prescribe HIV Prevention Learn more at: cdc.gov/HIVNexus.

What do the 2016 Pep recommendations mean for You?

The 2016 PEP recommendations also include considerations and resources for specific groups, such as pregnant patients, victims of sexual assault (including children), and patients without health insurance, as well as a suggested procedure for transitioning patients between PEP and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as appropriate. 4

What is Pep [PDF]?

[PDF – 104 KB]. PEP is the use of antiretroviral drugs after a single high-risk event to stop HIV seroconversion. PEP must be started as soon as possible to be effective—and always within 72 hours of a possible exposure. Basic PEP Q&As – learn the basics about PEP and if it’s right for you.