Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, has made a major global contribution to HIV prevention. It is a successful preventative approach that lowers the risk of HIV infection. As an effective HIV prevention method, PrEP lowers one’s risk of contracting the infection by 99%. Equality Health provides PrEP drugs in an effort to prevent HIV in Oklahoma. With our preventative program, we can help you escape the horrors of HIV/AIDS if you are ever at risk of contracting the virus through sharing needles or sexual intercourse. Get in touch with us right now to protect your health in El Reno, Oklahoma, using PrEP for HIV prevention.
What Is the Role of PrEP in HIV Prevention?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a medicine taken by those who are at risk of HIV infection. HIV is not a fully curable disease, but the symptoms can be controlled and prevented. PrEP has been quite effective in preventing HIV in healthy individuals. When you are on PrEP, HIV cannot spread throughout the body because PrEP medications stop the virus from entering cells.
We use the most effective FDA-approved PrEP medications at our El Reno clinic, including:
- Truvada: It is an HIV prevention tablet that functions by blocking HIV’s entry points. This medication stops HIV from spreading by circulating in the bloodstream.
- Descovy: Descovy is another medication we use for PrEP; it stops HIV from reproducing in the blood. It does so by inhibiting the HIV enzyme that helps in the virus’s replication.
- Apretude: Apretude is used as a PrEP injectable shot. The injection is a long-acting medication that prevents HIV replication by obstructing the activity of the viral DNA.
- Cabenuva: is used as a PrEP injectable shot. The injection is a long-acting medication that prevents HIV replication by obstructing the activity of the viral DNA.
With 99% dependability, PrEP has been shown to be successful in preventing the virus through sexual contact. On the other hand, it reduces viral transmission via shared injections by 74%. Its significant role in HIV prevention comes from its great efficacy against the virus.
Contact our team to learn more about our PrEP-related services today!
When Should You Get PrEP?
The PrEP drug program in El Reno, Oklahoma, seeks to prevent HIV in all uninfected people who are at a higher risk of getting the virus. We highly recommend PrEP for people who:
- Participate in unprotected sex
- Engage in sex with HIV-positive people
- Have contracted an STD in the last six months
- Engage in sex with people who have had an STD in the last six months
- Share injection drugs
- Share injection drugs with people who are at risk of HIV or are HIV-positive
- Are sex workers
Regardless of the circumstances, our medical staff will carefully evaluate your state of health and direct you into our PrEP program. We also conduct a series of tests to make sure you are fit for PrEP medication, including:
- HIV Test: Since PrEP is a prevention drug and not a cure drug, to start PrEP medication, you must be HIV-negative.
- STI Screening: The purpose of this test is to detect any other STDs that you may have. It primarily addresses diseases, including gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia.
- Kidney Function Tests: In order to assess the health of your kidneys, our lab professionals will draw blood from your body. Since PrEP medicine may have side effects on kidney function, your kidneys must remain in excellent health.
- Hepatitis B Test: In addition, we screen for hepatitis B before starting PrEP. There must be a negative test result to begin the PrEP medications.
Our PrEP services in El Reno, OK, include
We provide the PrEP program, which includes a comprehensive initiation approach tailored to each patient’s requirements. We take the following steps for the initiation:
Step 1: Schedule An Appointment
You must first schedule a consultation session with one of our professionals. You have two options for scheduling an appointment: over the phone or online. We guarantee the privacy of your information and will provide you with a discreet consultation with one of our specialists.
Step 2: Medical Evaluation and Side Effects Discussion
You are required to undergo an array of tests to find out your current state of health following the consultation. Depending on your current health status, our professionals will evaluate your test results and determine what further processing is necessary. To help you feel more comfortable with the procedure, the experts also go over the possible side effects of PrEP drugs, such as a headache or an upset stomach.
Step 3: PrEP Medication
Our medical professionals will only recommend PrEP to you if you are eligible for it. The medical evaluation helps in determining your eligibility in advance. We mostly utilize injections of Apretude and Capenuva, tablets called Descovy, and Truvada for our medications. Our professionals recommend the prescription drugs that fit your health condition the best.
Step 4: Continuous Medical Support
We genuinely care about your health and welfare. Our medical specialists support you throughout every stage of the PrEP drug process. In order to help you prevent HIV infection in your body, we offer you unlimited medical assistance.
Monitoring Success and Follow-Up for PrEP for HIV
One of the most important features of PrEP medicine is routine monitoring and follow-up. Following the prescription of the appropriate medicine, our professionals monitor your health and your progress with PrEP. During the follow-ups, we ensure you feel at ease with the process. To make sure you are on the safe side, we also conduct prompt testing for conditions like HIV, renal disease, STIs, hepatitis, and others.
We regularly evaluate and follow up on PrEP for HIV prevention. Our timeline includes:
3 Months of Monitoring
- HIV testing and STI screening, along with symptom monitoring
- Pregnancy tests for women
- Tracking PrEP medicine refills prescribed for a 90-day limit
- Assess daily medicine intake and discuss potential side effects
6 Months of Monitoring
- Kidney tests to monitor kidney functioning
- Assess potential risks for kidney failure due to the medications
12 months of monitoring
- Hepatitis C test
- Hepatitis B test
We have built our PrEP assistance program to offer you complete medical assistance for the whole duration of your treatment. We assess each stage of the process and recommend the course of action that will minimize your risk of contracting HIV.
Cost of PrEP for HIV Prevention in El Reno, OK
If a person does not have insurance coverage, our PrEP treatment can cost between $70 to $3000 monthly. Nonetheless, the majority of the cost of PrEP is covered by your insurance if it is still in effect. Additionally, some organizations offer a co-pay facility for low-income people without insurance. You may speak with us right away if you have any more questions concerning the necessary costs. We’ll do all within our power to assist you.
Contact Equality Health for PrEP in El Reno, OK.
In El Reno, Oklahoma, Equality Health is the best option for PrEP-based HIV prevention. Many individuals have successfully avoided HIV infections thanks to our HIV prevention efforts, and we want to do the same for you! We guarantee dependable and secure treatment processes with the help of our qualified and experienced medical professionals. So give us a call today at (405) 761-2762 and get started!
PrEP alone is not effective enough to completely clear HIV on its own. However, PrEP helps to minimize the risks associated with HIV. After taking daily medication for receptive anal sex, our PrEP treatment starts showing results within seven days. On the other hand, for both shared injectable usage and receptive vaginal sex, PrEP needs to be taken consistently for around 21 days. However, the time it takes for injective PrEP medication to come into effect is still uncertain.
No, PrEP is not for HIV-positive patients. HIV infection cannot be effectively treated with PrEP alone. Our healthcare professional will perform an HIV test first. Then, we will offer suitable HIV medical treatment if your test comes back positive.
Absolutely! PrEP is widely available at any retail pharmacy in the country. At our clinic, we will give you the best PrEP services. From initial consultation to PrEP dosage, our team will thoroughly walk you through the medication process.
The people who are eligible for PrEP medication are:
- HIV-negative people aged 16 years and older
- People below the age of 16 who are at risk of HIV
- Sexually active people have multiple partners
- Individuals engaged in sex with people who are HIV positive
- Sex workers
Yes. PrEP is only available with a prescription. To find out if you are eligible for a PrEP prescription, you must go through an array of tests. Tests for HIV, STIs, renal function, and other conditions are among them. Our doctor will walk you through the drug schedule and dosage if you are eligible for PrEP.