PrEP Protocol for HIV Prevention
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is an antiretroviral medication designed to prevent HIV transmission in people who don't live with the virus but may be exposed to it.
What is PrEP?
Essential information about this HIV preventive treatment
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is an antiretroviral medication designed to prevent HIV transmission in people who don't live with the virus but may be exposed to it through sexual relations or injectable drug use.
History and development
Since the 1990s, HIV research showed that antiretrovirals not only served to treat the infection but could prevent new transmissions if taken preventively. In 2012, the FDA approved the use of Tenofovir + Emtricitabine as PrEP, and currently the WHO recommends its use in at-risk populations.
The effectiveness of PrEP depends on adherence: if taken correctly, medication levels in the blood and tissues create a barrier that prevents the virus from establishing itself in the body.
How does PrEP work?
Understand how this medication acts to protect you
PrEP works by blocking HIV's ability to establish an infection in the body. The medication must be present in sufficient concentration in the blood before exposure to the virus occurs.
Effectiveness
If taken properly, PrEP reduces the risk of transmission by 99% in sexual relations and by 74% in injectable drug use.
When taking PrEP, these medications accumulate in tissues where HIV might try to establish itself. The presence of these drugs in your body prevents the virus from replicating and establishing a permanent infection.
Who should take PrEP?
PrEP is recommended for people with a higher risk of exposure to HIV
People in serodiscordant relationships
Couples where one person lives with HIV and the other doesn't, especially if the person with HIV doesn't have an undetectable viral load.
Men who have sex with men
MSM with multiple partners or inconsistent condom use.
Transgender people
Especially those with high-risk sexual practices or in contexts where HIV prevalence is high.
Sex workers
Due to potential exposure to multiple sexual partners.
Injectable drug users
People who share needles or injection equipment.
Other people at risk
Anyone with high-risk practices or potential exposure to HIV.
Anyone with risk practices can access PrEP, always with proper medical assessment and appropriate counseling.
How is PrEP taken?
There are different regimens for taking PrEP according to your needs
Daily regimen (recommended)
- •Take one pill every day at the same time.
- •This is the most studied and recommended regimen for all population groups.
- •If you miss 4 doses in a week, protection is lost.
Effectiveness
The daily regimen offers maximum protection when taken correctly, reaching up to 99% effectiveness.
Time to reach protection
Anal relations
7 days of daily use
Vaginal/frontal relations or injectable drug use
21 days of daily use
Process to obtain PrEP with VIHve Libre
Follow these steps to access PrEP in a free and confidential manner
Download the CDMX app
Available on Google Play and App Store. Within the app, select the 'Clínica Condesa' option.
Create your account
Answer the form questions. Select VIHve Libre as your care unit.
Upload a recent HIV test
If you don't have one, you can request a free test from VIHve Libre via WhatsApp. It's necessary to confirm you are seronegative before starting PrEP.
Send your health profile to VIHve Libre
Send a screenshot of your health profile to VIHve Libre via WhatsApp. It's important that we can see the ID that says patient code (5 numbers).
Pick up your PrEP or request home delivery
Pick up your medication or request free home delivery throughout Mexico. VIHve Libre services are free, confidential, and open to all people, including foreigners.
Required medical tests
Before starting PrEP, the following are required: ✅ HIV test to confirm you are seronegative. ✅ Kidney function tests (Blood creatinine every 6-12 months). ✅ STI tests (Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C). While using PrEP, you should get HIV tests every 3 months.
Side effects
Most people don't experience adverse effects. Some may experience: nausea, headache, or fatigue. These effects usually disappear after the first few doses. If symptoms persist, it's recommended to seek medical consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about PrEP
Need help or more information?
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