Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Benefits & Side Effects

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a medical treatment used to prevent HIV infection after exposure. It works to stop the HIV virus from taking hold in the body and is an effective measure against HIV for individuals who may have been exposed to the virus during unprotected sex, sexual assault, needle sharing, or medical procedures. While PEP is considered an effective emergency treatment for HIV, it can cause side effects in some cases. This article explores various aspects of PEP, including its benefits, potential side effects, treatment duration, and effectiveness.

What Is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and How Does It Work?

PEP is an antiretroviral treatment that helps your body fight HIV, protecting you from infection. This treatment must be started within 72 hours of potential HIV exposure and continued for 28 days without missing a dose. Beyond 72 hours, the treatment is unlikely to work, and the likelihood of HIV infection will increase. PEP is an emergency treatment meant for immediate protection against HIV. It uses antiretroviral medications to prevent the virus from replicating in your body. The sooner you start taking PEP medication, the more effective it will be in stopping the infection. Although it is not meant to be used as a long-term method of prevention, it is an effective emergency measure that can minimize the chances of HIV spreading in your body.

Is PEP 100% Effective?

Although PEP is a highly effective emergency treatment, it is not 100% effective. The effectiveness of PEP is dependent on how soon you start treatment following exposure and how consistent you are in following your treatment plan. When taken correctly and consistently, PEP can be more than 80% effective. However, PEP cannot be used to treat an ongoing infection. Once HIV takes hold in your body, you will need to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) to control the virus.

Side Effects of PEP

PEP is sometimes associated with moderate side effects and, in rare cases, severe side effects.

Common Side Effects

Around 40% of individuals taking PEP experience side effects. Some of the most common side effects you can expect while taking PEP medication are:

• Nausea and vomiting: Some PEP drugs cause nausea, often followed by vomiting. These symptoms usually go away within a few days or weeks of starting treatment. In the meantime, you can take anti-nausea medication to ease your discomfort.
• Fatigue: PEP medication can leave you feeling more tired than usual. Since these drugs are designed to fight off any HIV in your body, they tend to cause fatigue. To cope with fatigue, you should prioritize rest, a healthy diet, and good sleep.
• Diarrhea: Some people experience diarrhea while taking PEP medication. These drugs can affect the digestive system, causing abdominal discomfort. To manage these symptoms, make sure to drink plenty of water and eat easily digestible food.
• Headaches: PEP drugs may cause headaches during the first few days of treatment. In most cases, headaches will subside as your body adjusts to the medication.

Rare Side Effects

In rare cases, PEP treatment may cause severe side effects, including:

• Liver toxicity: Some PEP medications, such as fosamprenavir and ritonavir, can cause liver toxicity. These drugs can cause an adverse reaction in the liver and inhibit liver function.
• Kidney failure: PEP drugs, especially tenofovir, can cause kidney failure. Symptoms of kidney failure include muscle cramps, foamy urine, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes.
• Allergic reactions: Some people may develop an allergic reaction to PEP medication. Mild symptoms include a rash, itching, and swelling, while severe symptoms include difficulty breathing, dizziness, and swelling of the throat or tongue.

PEP vs. PrEP: What’s the Difference?

PEP and PrEP are both designed to prevent HIV. Although they serve similar purposes, they are used in different cases. Here is how PEP and PrEP differ:

PEP

• What is PEP?: PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It includes oral antiretroviral medications that are designed to prevent HIV infection after exposure.
• Who should use it?: PEP should be taken as an emergency treatment by individuals who have been exposed to HIV through unprotected sex with HIV-positive partners, shared needles, and sexual assault. Individuals who are accidentally exposed to infected bodily fluids in healthcare settings should also take PEP.
• How does it work?: When PEP drugs enter the bloodstream, they prevent the HIV virus from replicating in the body. This prevents the virus from spreading and causing a permanent infection.
• When should it be taken?: PEP should be taken within 72 hours of HIV exposure. After 72 hours, the medication will become less effective.

PrEP

• What is PrEP?: PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is an ongoing HIV prevention method that involves taking oral or injectable antiretroviral medications on a regular basis.
• Who should use it?: PrEP is suitable for HIV-negative individuals who often engage in activities where they are likely to be exposed to HIV. It is recommended for those who have unprotected sex and share drug needles with HIV-positive individuals.
• How does it work?: Like PEP, PrEP works by preventing HIV from making copies of itself, greatly minimizing the risk of infection and transmission.
• When should it be taken?: PrEP should be taken every day.

Get PEP Treatment at Equality Health

PEP is an effective emergency treatment to prevent HIV infection. Although it comes with some risks, the consequences of contracting HIV outweigh the possibility of experiencing side effects as a result of PEP. At Equality Health, we provide access to safe PEP treatment for the prevention of HIV infection. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We will ensure you receive the treatment you need quickly and at an affordable cost.