PrEP (HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) is a combination of medicines that protects you from HIV. Taking PrEP before being exposed to HIV means there’s enough drug inside you to block HIV if it gets into your body.
PrEP is made up of two drugs, tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine which are combined into a single tablet. Both drugs have been widely used for many years to treat HIV and they have also been used by several thousands of HIV negative people as PrEP. An alternative type of PrEP, which is very similar and also comprises two drugs, may be offered to those who have, or who are at high risk of, bone or kidney disease.
PrEP is available free on the NHS in England from our sexual health clinics to those most likely to benefit from taking it.
If you are interested in taking PrEP, please call your local iCaSH clinic on 0300 300 3030 for more information, as in some areas we have a waiting list. We will contact you to offer an appointment as soon as one becomes available. In the meantime, if you wish to find out more about PrEP, please click here.