Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
What is PrEP?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a pill taken daily to prevent HIV. Daily PrEP use reduces the risk of getting HIV through sex by about 99%. Daily PrEP use also reduces the risk of getting HIV through injection drug use by more than 70%. Two medications are approved for daily use as PrEP to help prevent a person without HIV from getting the virus from sex or injection drug use. PrEP is safe and effective for adults and adolescents weighing above 35 kilograms (77 pounds).
PrEP is intended for use before a possible exposure to HIV. If you think you have been exposed to HIV through needlestick, condomless sex, or by sharing needles or works to prepare drugs within the last 72 hours, you can learn more about non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP).
PrEP works best when taken as prescribed and when it is used with other prevention options. When you combine options, you further reduce the risk of getting HIV from another person. Combination prevention lets you decide which prevention option(s) are best for your lifestyle.
Prevention options include:
Condoms |
HIV + STD Testing and Treatment |
Daily PrEP or Emergency nPEP |
Maintain an Undetectable Status |
Talk about sex and drug practices with partners |
Talk to your doctor about sexual history, drug use, and prevention options |
Safer drug use |
Lube |
Can I take PrEP?
To find out if you can or should take PrEP, you first need to get tested for HIV. If you test negative for HIV, talk to your doctor about starting or restarting PrEP.
PrEP is for people who are at very high risk of getting HIV, including those who:
Have condomless sex |
Have had an STD (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) in the past 12 months |
Have sex high or while intoxicated |
Have sex with people who are living with HIV or whose status you do not know |
Trade sex for money, drugs, or a place to stay |
Inject drugs or share works |
Want extra protection from HIV |
Can commit to taking a daily pill |
PrEP is safe for women and does not interfere with hormonal birth control or hormone therapy. PrEP can be used during conception and pregnancy. PrEP only works in preventing HIV. Condom use is recommended to protect against STDs and pregnancy.
How much does PrEP cost?
PrEP is free for many people through health insurance and assistance programs. If you do not have insurance, you can get help paying for PrEP from:
- Manufacturer drug and co-pay assistance
- Patient Access Network Foundation
- Patient Advocate Foundation
Visit Preventative Service Coverage and PrEP Assistance Programs to learn more about the process of paying for PrEP.
What are the side effects?
PrEP is safe for adults and adolescents weighing more than 35 kilograms (77 pounds). The drugs in PrEP have been used by people living with HIV for treatment since 2004.
Most people on PrEP do not report any side effects. The most common side effects are nausea, upset stomach, fatigue and headaches during the first month of taking PrEP; these symptoms usually get better or go away. Your healthcare provider can help you manage any side effects.
Where can I get PrEP?
You can get PrEP from your physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant; you just have to ask for it by name. If your provider is not familiar with PrEP, you can direct them to the CDC PrEP information page.
Visit the Texas DSHS PrEP Directory or the National Prevention Information Network Directory for a listing of clinics and doctors who prescribe PrEP near you. If you do not see any clinics near you or ones that you are comfortable going to, you may be able to get PrEP delivered discreetly to your home or by going to a pharmacy. Options include:
- Tele-PrEP (including NURX and PlushCare)
- Walgreens Healthcare Clinics, CVS minute clinics, or other pharmacies
What are the steps to getting on PrEP?
At your first healthcare visit, you will be asked questions to help you see if PrEP is a good fit. This includes questions about your sexual behaviors, types of partners, and medical history. In order to get on PrEP, you must take HIV and STD tests, have your kidney function checked, and be assessed for hepatitis B and C infections. Your healthcare provider will help with any STD treatments and work with you to address any health concerns.
PrEP can be accessed at most pharmacies around Texas. Some pharmacies can also mail or deliver the medicine directly to you.
After you start taking PrEP daily, you must see your healthcare provider on a regular basis. Every three to six months, s/he will see how you are doing on the medicines, discuss any side effects, and ask about how often you are taking PrEP. At these visits, you will be re-tested for HIV, STDs, and kidney function.
You can stop and start daily PrEP at different times in your life, but you must notify and consult with your healthcare provider.
What if I have more questions?
There are many online resources for people interested in learning more about PrEP or starting or stopping PrEP. You can visit any of the sites below for more information:
- PrEP User’s Guide in English and PrEP User's Guide in Spanish
- Greater than AIDS FAQ
- Ask About PrEP
- Please PrEP Me
- Or, contact a local community organization or free clinic to ask for more information
Additional Patient Resources
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for Providers
Book traversal links for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
-
-
-
- TB Epidemiology Reports and Fact Sheets
-
- Epi Profile - Data Tables
- Epi Profile Section 3 - Affected Populations
- Epi Profile Section 6 - Mortality
- Epi Profile Section 7 - At-Risk Populations
- Epi Profile Section 8 - Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
- Epi Profile Section 9 - Public Health Follow-Up Outcomes
- Epi Profile Section 2 - Geographic Distribution of TB in Texas
- Epi Profile Section 4 - Case Diagnosis
- Epi Profile Section 5 - Recent Transmission
- Epi Profile Section 10 - Reporting Requirements
- Epi Profile Section 11 - References
- Epi Profile Section 1 - An Overview of Tuberculosis in Texas
- TB News and Announcements
- How to Report Tuberculosis
- TB Forms Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions About TB
-
- Contact Us
-
- Pubic Lice
- Scabies
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
- Hepatitis D
- Hepatitis E
- Yeast Infection/Thrush (Candidiasis)
- Trichomoniasis
-
-
- Congenital Syphilis - Data and Surveillance
- Congenital Syphilis - Exploring an Epidemic Podcast
- Congenital Syphilis - Program Resources
- Congenital Syphilis - Provider Resources
- Congenital Syphilis - A Call to Action: Rising Rates of Congenital Syphilis in Texas
- Penicillin G Benzathine (Bicillin L-A) Shortage
-
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Chlamydia
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
- Gonorrhea
-
-
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Palestine - Plano
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Galveston
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Abilene - Amarillo - Arlington - Austin
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Richmond - Robstown
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Hallettsville - Harlingen - Hillsboro - Houston
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Beaumont - Belton - Bryan
- HIV/STD Service Providers - San Angelo - San Antonio - San Marcos - Sherman
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Killeen - Kingsville
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Cameron - Cleveland - Corpus Christi - Cotulla
- HIV/STD Service Providers -Temple - Texarkana - Texas City - Tyler
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Laredo - Longview - Lubbock - Lufkin
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Dallas - Denton
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Uvalde - Victoria
- HIV/STD Service Providers - McAllen - McKinney - Midland
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Eagle Pass - El Paso
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Waco - Wichita Falls
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Nacogdoches - Odessa
- HIV/STD Service Providers - Farmers Branch - Fort Worth
- HIV Administrative Agencies
- HIV and STD Testing in Texas
-
- HIV and Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Resources in Texas
-
- Border Report Section 3 - Population and Demographics of the Texas-Mexico Border Region
- Border Report Section 4 - HIV Diagnoses and People Living with HIV
- Border Report Section 2 - HIV, STDs, and TB in the Texas-Mexico Border Region
- Border Report Section 1 - Executive Summary
- Border Report Section 5 - Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Border Report Section 6 - Tuberculosis
- Border Report - Table Appendix
-
- Epi Profile Section 3 - Texans with New HIV Diagnoses
- Epi Profile Section 7 - Comorbidities in Texans Living with HIV
- Epi Profile - Table Appendix
- Epi Profile - Data Sources and Notes
- Epi Profile Section 1 - Executive Summary
- Epi Profile Section 11 - HIV Treatment Cascade
- Epi Profile Section 2 - Texans Living with HIV in 2018
- Epi Profile Section 4 - New Diagnoses in MSM
- Epi Profile Section 5 - Texans with Newly Acquired HIV
- Epi Profile Section 6 - Deaths in Texans Living with HIV
- Epi Profile Section 8 - HIV Testing in Programs Funded by the Department of State Health Services
- Epi Profile Section 9 - Sex and Substance Use in PLWH
- Epi Profile Section 10 - Sex and Substance Use in People at Increased Risk for HIV in Dallas, Texas
-
Contractor Resources - HIV Medical and Psychosocial Support Services Open submenu links Close submenu links
- HIV Services Program Reports
- Technical Assistance
-
- Outpatient/Ambulatory Health Services
- Universal Standards
- Home and Community-Based Health Services
- Referral for Health Care and Support Services
- Non-Medical Case Management
- Home Health Care
- Rehabilitation Services
- Early Intervention Services
- Oral Health Services
- Hospice Services
- Respite Care
- Food Bank-Home Delivered Meals
- Other Professional Services
- Housing Services
- Health Education/Risk Reduction (HE/RR)
- Outreach Services
- Linguistic Services
- Telemedicine Guide Resources
- Health Education-Risk Reduction (HE/RR) - Minority AIDS Initiative
- Outreach Services - Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI)
- Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
- Health Insurance Premium and Cost Sharing Assistance
- Psychosocial Support Services
- Medical Transportation Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA)
- Child Care
- Local AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance (LPAP)
- Medical Case Management (including Treatment Adherence Services)
- Mental Health Services
- Substance Abuse Outpatient Care
- Substance Abuse Services (Residential)
- Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
-
-
- Texas HIV Surveillance Procedure Manual
- HIV/AIDS Data Changes 2010
- Medical Monitoring Project (MMP)
-
-
- THISIS FAQ Labs
- THISIS FAQ System Access
- THISIS FAQ Clinical
- THISIS FAQ Event
- THISIS FAQ Follow-Up
- THISIS FAQ Helpful Tips
- THISIS FAQ Transition to THISIS
- THISIS FAQ Workflows
- THISIS FAQ HIV Surveillance
- THISIS FAQ Notes
- THISIS FAQ Partner-Clusters
- THISIS FAQ Public Health Follow-Up
- THISIS FAQ Reporting-Morbidity
- THISIS FAQ Reports
- THISIS FAQ Risk Factors
- THISIS FAQ Syphilis
- THISIS FAQ Case Assignment Field Record
- THISIS FAQ Co-Infection Management
- THISIS FAQ Congenital Syphilis
- THISIS FAQ Facilities
- THISIS FAQ General
- THISIS FAQ Assigning and Tracking Cases-Field Records
- THISIS Training Videos
- THISIS Resources and Forms
- THISIS Glossary
- THISIS Help Desk
- THISIS Training Manuals
- THISIS Tip Sheets
- THISIS Workflows
- THISIS System Status
-
- DSHS TB/HIV/STD Security and Database Account Management
-
-
- Ongoing HIV-STD Training and Educational Resources
- Care Services Training
- Core Training
-
- Training - HIV Navigation in Texas
- Training - Social Determinants of Health
- Training - Trauma Informed Care
- Training - Health Equity
- Training - Foundations of HIV Testing and Navigation
- Training - Gender and Sexual Diversity
- Training - Healthy Options
- Training - Advanced Motivational Interviewing
- Training - Unconscious Bias
- HIV/STD Planning
-
-
-
- 700.006 Multi-Month and Special Circumstance Medication Supply and Coverage
- 700.007 Texas Insurance Assistance Program
- PMCY01 Prescription Medication Shortages
-
591.000 Limitations on Ryan White and State Services Funds for Incarcerated Persons in Community Facilities Open submenu links Close submenu links
- 700.003 HIV/STD Medication Pharmacy Eligibility Criteria
- 700.004 HIV Medications Ordering Process for Pharmacies
- LIDS 2021.001 Program Income
- 2013.01 Ryan White Part B/State Funded Services in Special Care Facilities
- 2012.01 Overall Responsible Party for TB/HIV/STD Surveillance Data
- 2011.04 Breach of Confidentiality Response
- 2011.01 Confidential Information Security
- 035.001 Model Education Program for use by Employers to Educate Employees About the HIV Disease and its Progressive Stages
- 090.001 Roles and Responsibilities of the Section Regarding Contractors
- 090.020 Model Policies for Handling, Caring and Treating Persons Infected with a Sexually Transmitted Disease (Including HIV/AIDS) while in the Custody, Supervision or Care of Correctional, Law Enforcement, and/or Emergency Services Entities
- 090.002 HIV Client Services Funding Allocation Formula
- 090.010 Contract Monitoring
- 090.021 HIV/AIDS Model Workplace Guidelines for Businesses, State Agencies, and State Contractors
- 120.100 HIV Testing of Pregnant Women
- 302.001 Release of Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and Viral Hepatitis Data
- 500.002 Environmental Tobacco Smoke Contractor Assurance
- 500.003 Contractor Use of Equipment and Supplies Contractor Assurance
- 520.001 Consultant Services and Consulting Fees Paid by a Contractor Through Direct Costs
- 520.002 Staff Education, Association Memberships, Training Fees and Insurance Payments Using Contract Funds
- 525.001 Enforcement of Year End Requirements for DSHS Contracts
- 530.002 Section Expectations and Provider Rights Regarding the Delivery of Client Service
- 530.003 How to Deal With Clients Who Threaten to Harm Themselves or Others
- 540.001 Sanctions Imposed Upon a Contractor for Non-Compliance with Contracts Involving State/Federal Funds
- 540.002 Sanctioning an HIV/STD Contractor for Subcontractor Noncompliance
- 590.001 DSHS Funds as Payment of Last Resort
- 110.002 HIV and STD Prevention Activities in State Prisons and Jails, State Juvenile Justice Facilities, Municipal and County Jails, Federal Prisons, and Private Prisons
- 130.001 Condom Distribution Non-Contracting Prevention Sites
- 220.001 Eligibility to Receive HIV Services
- 231.001 ARIES Security
- 231.000 TakeChargeTexas (TCT) Users
- 231.002 TakeChargeTexas (TCT) Administrative Agency Data Managers’ Core Competencies
- 231.003 TCT Data Improvement Plan
- 241.001 Administrative Agency Roles and Responsibilities
- 241.003 Subcontracting HIV Health and Support Services
- 241.004 Administrative Agency Requirements for Community Input
- 241.005 Conflict of Interest in Administrative Agencies
- 241.006 Reallocation of HIV Client Services Funds
- 260.001 Care for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS Using State Services Funds
- 260.002 Health Insurance Assistance
- 270.001 Calculation of Estimated Expenditures on Covered Clinical Services
- 280.001 Sub-Contracting HIV Core and Support Services by an Administrative Agency
- 420.002 Provider Selection Criteria and Requirements for the Texas Infertility Prevention Project
- 700.001 Texas HIV Medication Program Requests to Change State HIV Medication Formulary
- 700.002 Rights of the Texas HIV Medication Program to Limit the Number of Clients Assigned to a Pharmacy
- 700.005 Medicare Part D
- 2020.02 DSHS Central Pharmacy to Dispense Medications to THMP Participants
- 2016.02 TB/HIV/STD Section Section-Wide Purchasing
- 2015.02 TB/HIV/STD Section Meeting Planning
- 2012.03 Alternative Worksite Procedure Due to Power Outage, HVAC System Failure and Other Temporary Environmental Factors
- 2009.01 TB/HIV/STD Section Procedure for the Review of New Grant Applications, Grant Renewal Applications, Grant Progress Reports and Technical Review Responses
- 2015.03 Creating E-Learning Products for the TB/HIV/STD Section
- 2016.03 Children in the Workplace
- 2019.02 Encrypted USB Flash Drive Assignment
- 2020.01 Quality Assurance for the Texas HIV Medication Program’s Eligibility Processes
- 410.001 Hepatitis B Vaccination for Adolescents
- 410.003 Accelerated HIV Intervention Program, Addressing the Potential for Recalcitrant Transmission of HIV in Texas
- Repealed Policies and Procedures
- 2023.004 340B Patient Eligibility
- 2023.005 Covered Entity Eligibility and Central Distribution Model Participation
- 2023.006 Prevention of Diversion of 340B Medication
- 2023.008 Covered Entity Ordering and Inventory Tracking
- 2023.009 340B Material Breach Policy
- 2023.010 340B Database Registration, Recertification, and Review
- 2023.011 Penicillin G Benzathine (Bicillin) Treatment
- 2023.013 340B Authorizing Official Back-up
- 2023.007 Prevention of Duplicate Discounts
- 2023.16 340B Roles, Responsibilities, Training and Education
- HIV/STD Security Policies and Procedures
- Laws, Rules, and Authorization
-
- POPS Chapter 22 - Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Non-occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP)
- POPS Chapter 13 - Administrative Agency Core Competencies
- POPS Appendix F - CDC Surveillance Case Definitions
- POPS Chapter 1 - Focused HIV/STI/HCV Testing, Counseling and Linkage to HIV Medical Care
- POPS Chapter 2 - Quality Assurance for Focused HIV Testing, Counseling, and Linkage to Care for HIV Prevention
- POPS Chapter 7 - HCV Testing
- POPS Chapter 8 - HIV/STI Surveillance
- POPS Chapter 9 - Disease Intervention Specialist Performance Standards
- POPS Chapter 10 - First-Line Supervisors Performance Standards
- POPS Chapter 11 - Regional and Local Health Department HIV/STD Program Manager Performance Standards
- POPS Chapter 12 - STI Clinical Standards
- POPS Chapter 16 - Routine HIV Screening in Healthcare Settings
- POPS Chapter 19 - Individual and Group HIV Prevention Interventions
- POPS Chapter 15 - Client Referral Standards
- POPS Chapter 17 - Health Insurance Program Standards
- POPS Chapter 18 - Pick-Up And Delivery Of Prescription And Over-The-Counter Medications Standards
- POPS Chapter 20 - Direct Client Services Volunteer Programs Standards
- POPS Appendix E - STD-MIS System Maintenance
- POPS Chapter 3 - HIV/STI Partner Services and Seropositive Notification
- POPS Chapter 4 - HIV Testing in STI Clinics
- POPS Chapter 14 - Client File Organization, Content and Security Standards
- POPS Chapter 24 - Structural Interventions for HIV Prevention
- POPS Chapter 23 - Congenital Syphilis
- POPS Chapter 25 - Tangible Reinforcements for HIV Prevention
-
- 2016.01 HIV/STD Section Confidential Information Security
- 2021.01 Appeals Requests Related to the Texas HIV Medication Program
- 020.050 Public Complaints Related to the Delivery of Section Programs
- 020.070 Placement of Educational Articles in Professional Publications
- 319.001 Data Management and Security External Quality Assurance Plan
- 320.001 Quality Assurance of Confidentiality for Internal Staff
- 900.002 Completing the Contractor Risk Assessment Tool
- 2020.01 Quality Assurance for the Texas HIV Medication Program’s Eligibility Processes
-
-
- Records Retention