What is PrEP? 
  • Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention method that can be used to reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex or sharing needles.
  • PrEP is a medication for people who don't have HIV.

PrEP is available for anyone who may have a higher chance of getting HIV through sex, and wants to stay HIV negative. That includes if you: 

  • Have a sexual partner that is HIV positive, and is not on or taking their HIV medications as prescribed.
  • Are unaware of your sexual partner’s HIV status.
  • Have multiple sex partners.
  • Have had an Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in the last year.

If you regularly worry about HIV ask your provider about PrEP

  • PrEP does not protect against other STIs or pregnancy 
  • PrEP is always voluntary and only you can determine if PrEP is right for you
  • You will have to take a HIV test before starting PrEP to make sure that you do not have HIV
  • While you are on PrEP, you will need to see a health care provider for regular check-ups, repeat HIV/STI screenings, lab tests, and prescription refills.
  • There are several potential health risks to sharing needles. PrEP can help prevent transmission of HIV through shared needles, but it is still important to use clean needles to prevent other diseases.
  • PrEP is not a vaccine
  • In California, minors 12 and older can access PrEP care without parent/guardian consent

The medication builds up protection by interfering with the way HIV reproduces in the body. This makes it more difficult for the virus to take hold if you are exposed to HIV, keeping you HIV negative.

PrEP Medication Info

There are different types of drugs approved for PrEP and different ways to take it. 

  1. Option 1: Daily PrEP: Take one pill once a day to prevent you from becoming HIV positive. There are two different types of medications:
    • Truvada (F/TDF): It's suitable for all genders and has a generic version available.
    • Descovy (F/TAF): It's only approved for men or transgender women who have sex with men, as it has not been studied in people at risk for HIV from receptive vaginal sex.
  2. Option 2: Long-Acting PrEP: 
    • A long acting injectable (a shot) called  Apretude (CAB-PrEP) injected every other month.
    • A long acting injectible (a shot) called Yeztugo (Lenacapavir) injected twice a year.
  3. Option 3: On-Demand PrEP:
    • On-Demand dosing (2-1-1) is extremely effective when used as prescribed, but it is not for everyone.*  Truvada (F/TDF) is the medication most studied for this.

*On-demand dosing is not FDA-approved for HIV PrEP in the United States, the 2021 CDC PrEP Clinical Practice Guidelines recommends on-demand HIV PrEP considered in select adult men who have sex with men.  Talk with your medical provider to determine if On-Demand PrEP is right for you.

 

 

 

How can I pay for PrEP? 

PrEP is covered by Medi-Cal, Medi-Care and most private health insurance plans

 

I have Medi-Cal:

  • PrEP and all related medical services are 100% covered as preventative services.
  • Call your assigned primary care clinic to get on PrEP

I have Medicare

  • PrEP is covered by Medicare with very low co-pays
  • Financial assistance through the California State PrEP Assistance Program (PrEP-AP) is available, see PrEP-AP section below. 

I have private health insurance

I don't have insurance and need help paying for PrEP, How do I get PrEP?

PrEP Assistance Programs (PrEP-AP)

  • If you have any questions, contact a bilingual (Spanish/English) PrEP Navigator in Santa Cruz/Watsonville at (831) 454-4730
HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) 

 

  • PEP is used in emergency situations in which a person may have been exposed to HIV in the previous 72 hours 
  • The medication stops HIV from making copies of itself and from spreading in the body