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[av_slide_full slide_type='image' id='186' video='http://' mobile_image='' fallback_link='http://' video_format='' video_ratio='16:9' title='HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)' custom_title_size='34' custom_content_size='27' caption_pos='caption_bottom caption_bottom_framed caption_framed' link_apply='' link='lightbox' link_target='' button_label='Click me' button_color='light' link1='manually,http://' link_target1='' button_label2='Click me' button_color2='light' link2='manually,http://' link_target2='' font_color='' custom_title='' custom_content='' overlay_opacity='0.5' overlay_color='' overlay_pattern='' overlay_custom_pattern='' av-medium-font-size-title='' av-small-font-size-title='' av-mini-font-size-title='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' av_uid='av-7ljl7']
Sanguen offers access to anti-retroviral medication to persons at risk of HIV infection.
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<h1 style="text-align: center;">FAQs</h1>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>WHAT IS PrEP?</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li>PrEP stands for <strong>HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis</strong>.</li>
  <li>PrEP involves taking a medication before having sex or sharing drug equipment to lower the chance of HIV infection.</li>
  <li>PrEP is an effective tool used by HIV negative people to lower the risk of becoming HIV positive.</li>
  <li><strong>PrEP will not protect you from other sexual infections. </strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong> WHAT MEDICATION IS USED AND HOW SHOULD I TAKE IT?</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li>Tenofovir DF/ Emtricitabine (Truvada) is the combination medication that is approved by Health Canada for HIV PrEP.  </li>
  <li>Take 1 tablet daily, with or without food.</li>
  <li>It takes <strong>7 days</strong> to reach levels in your body that will protect against HIV for anal sex, and <strong>21 days for vaginal sex. </strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> &nbsp;</strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong> CAN I TAKE PrEP “ON DEMAND”(“DISCO DOSING”, OR “CONDOM HOLIDAYS”)?</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li>On-demand PrEP might be considered for gbMSM individuals (gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men).</li>
  <li>On-demand PrEP has not been studied for people who have vaginal sex, or people who use drugs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong> WHAT DO I NEED TO DO WHILE TAKING PrEP?</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li>Blood tests <strong>must</strong> be done every 3 months to test for HIV infection and to check your kidneys.</li>
  <li>You should be tested for other sexually transmitted infections every 3 months.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong> HOW MUCH DOES PrEP COST?</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li>Truvada is covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit, and the Trillium Drug Plan.</li>
  <li>Most private drug plans cover Truvada.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>  </strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong> WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF PrEP?</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li>Some people notice nausea, diarrhea, bloating or headaches when they start PrEP. These side effects usually go away on their own.</li>
  <li>Tenofovir may cause some thinning of the bones. Make sure that you are getting calcium (1000 mg per day) and vitamin D (400 IU – 1000 IU per day) from your diet and supplements.</li>
  <li>Rarely, people can have an allergic reaction to PrEP. If you have rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing, go to the emergency department for medical care.</li>
  <li>Tenofovir can rarely lead to kidney problems. Your kidneys will be checked with bloodwork every 3 months while you are on PrEP.</li>
  <li>If you get HIV while on PrEP, you will need to stop taking PrEP and start new treatments for HIV.</li>
  <li><strong>If you experience symptoms that could be early HIV, see your doctor right away. Symptoms of early HIV include</strong>: fever, headache, joint pain, sore throat.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE A DOSE?</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li>Take the medication as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due within the next 6 hours. In this case, take your next dose at the usual time and do not double your dose.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>WHAT IF I DECIDE TO STOP PrEP?</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li>Continue PrEP for <strong>AT LEAST 48 HOURS</strong> after your last possible HIV exposure (sex without a condom or shared drug equipment). The Canadian Guidelines recommend continuing PrEP for 28 days after your last possible HIV exposure.</li>
  <li>Follow up with your doctor for HIV testing 4-6 weeks after your last possible HIV exposure.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>Sources:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cfenet.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/centredocs/prep_patient_info_sheet_25-jan-2018.pdf" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.cfenet.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/centredocs/prep_patient_info_sheet_25-jan-2018.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1595621880346000&usg=AFQjCNEjI363g4Ofrxsp7YxNXmjTqu5SwA">http://www.cfenet.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/centredocs/prep_patient_info_sheet_25-jan-2018.pdf</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thesexyouwant.ca/prep/questions-answers/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thesexyouwant.ca/prep/questions-answers/&source=gmail&ust=1595621880346000&usg=AFQjCNGs30J3R4H2iWwnkTiGg1-EtdSTYQ">https://thesexyouwant.ca/prep/questions-answers/</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.catie.ca/en/fact-sheets/prevention/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.catie.ca/en/fact-sheets/prevention/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep&source=gmail&ust=1595621880346000&usg=AFQjCNGwGWT56EURnIFjNVm9UtFtmPAnaw">https://www.catie.ca/en/fact-sheets/prevention/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

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