HIV - PrEP

PrEP is a pill taken either daily or on demand that helps to prevent HIV . Taking PrEP before being exposed to HIV means there’s enough drug inside you to block HIV if it gets into your body. 

It is available for free on the NHS and provided locally by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Sexual Health. Eligibility criteria may apply - see below or discuss with someone in your next appointment.

If you decide to access PrEP from other sources, we can provide you with safety monitoring and give you advice on usage. We will also provide routine STI testing and other Sexual Health services as part of your journey with PrEP.

PrEP is not the same as PEP

Find out more about HIV

PrEP may be suitable for you if you:

• are HIV negative
• have anal, vaginal or frontal sex in a variety of situations where condoms are not  used
• want to protect yourself from HIV.

PREP is highly effective at preventing HIV.

PrEP will only protect you against HIV. Using condoms will help reduce your risk of other STIs, including Syphilis and Gonorrhoea, which are on the rise.

Order FREE condoms by post.

PrEP is taken by people who are most at risk of getting HIV.

The people most at risk are:

• black African women and men
• gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men
• people who inject drugs
• one partner is HIV positive with a detectable viral load, the other is negative
• people who exchange sex for payment
• trans and non-binary people

PrEP can be used by people of all genders and sexualities. 

Staff in our sexual health clinics are experienced and welcoming. They can answer your questions and give you the advice you need before taking PrEP.

If you would like to talk about getting PrEP contact us on 0300 300 2016.

If you are eligible to be provided PrEP by us, there are some initial tests which we need to perform at your first appointment. Most importantly, this will include a test to ensure you are HIV negative before commencing PrEP.

You will have an HIV test and a kidney function blood test on the day you start PrEP or just before.

As part of ongoing provision of PrEP, you will be required to take regular monitoring tests which include a full STI screening every 3 months.  

You should also:

• get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• get vaccinated to protect yourself from hepatitis A,  B,  HPV, monkey pox and Gonorrhea (if eligible)

There are different ways of taking PrEP and your clinician will discuss which are suitable for you. 

•  Daily PrEP: you take one pill every day. This is suitable for all who require PrEP. Daily Prep Guide
• ‘On Demand’ PrEP (also called event-based dosing or ‘EBD’): you take a set amount of PrEP pills before and after a planned sexual event. This is only suitable for gay, bisexual men and trans women. PrEP On Demand Guide

If you:

• are experiencing any issues or side effects
• have started any new medication
• would like to discuss anything

You can contact us on 0300 300 2016.

If you have had less than 4 doses of PrEP on either Daily or Event Based Dosing, and had unprotected sex, attend one of our clinics or after hours attend your nearest A&E department as you may require PEP. 

Please ensure you make an appointment when you start your last bottle of PrEP so we can arrange some more. Call 0300 300 2016 or make an appointment using your PHR.

Whilst taking PrEP, we need to monitor your kidney function. We will do this by a blood and urine test completed in our clinic. This is usually completed every 6 months to 1 year and can be done in your routine appointments.

Please complete a routine STI screening every 3 months. This is required if we provide you with PrEP. You can order a home test kit using your PHR.

Order a free home STI testing kit.

You can find out more about PrEP by visiting a sexual health clinic in Solent. For more online information, visit:

• iwantprepnow.co.uk
• Online PrEP booklet
• PrEP Leaflet