Pre-exposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP) has been shown to cause side effects in some patients.

Common side effects reported from oral PrEP use include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Chills
• Body aches
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Reddened or tender skin
• Pain or tingling in the hands and/or feet
• Heartburn
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Common side effects of injectable PrEP use include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Anxiety

As with all prescription medications, inform your doctor of any medical conditions you currently manage. Tell them about any and all medications, prescription drugs, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with PrEP medication. These drugs can interact with bodily substances, causing potentially serious adverse reactions.

Specifically, you should inform your healthcare provider of any antiviral, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), or anti-HIV/AIDS medication you are taking. Remember to mention any herbal products you use, especially St. John’s wort.

In addition, let your doctor know if you plan to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding before taking PrEP drugs.

Yes, your Sesame provider can order PrEP lab work (including HIV tests, kidney function tests, STI lab tests, and hepatitis B/C tests) during a video visit. You can then take your lab order to an in-person location for your blood draw. Here’s how it works:

1. Book an online PrEP visit. During the visit, your Sesame clinician will review your medical history and determine which labs you need. If appropriate, your provider will send you a lab order after your visit.

2. Purchase your lab order. You’ll receive your lab order payment & instructions via email after your provider orders the lab. You can then schedule an in-person blood draw at a Quest location of your choice.

3. Get your blood drawn at Quest, either by appointment or as a walk-in, depending on the location. If you are located in AZ, HI, ND, OK, SD, or WY, you will need to choose a different testing location.

4. Receive your results within 2–5 business days. You and your provider will both receive a copy, and your provider can then prescribe PrEP if appropriate. Your prescription can be sent to your preferred pharmacy for pickup or straight to your door via mail order.

Descovy is a prescription oral medication used to help prevent HIV in at-risk adults and adolescents. It is also sometimes used to treat existing HIV infections when combined with other medications.

Descovy contains two active ingredients: emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide. These drugs belong to a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). These work by blocking an enzyme HIV needs to multiply, lowering the amount of virus in the body.

Descovy is taken as one tablet once a day, with or without food. It's important to take it exactly as prescribed, so don't stop or change your dose without talking to your provider, even if you're feeling well.

Descovy is an effective HIV prevention medication, but it isn't a cure, and it won't keep HIV from spreading to your partners. Safe sex practices are still recommended.

Truvada is a prescription oral medication used to help prevent HIV in at-risk adults and adolescents, or to treat existing HIV infections when combined with other medications.

The Truvada pill contains two active ingredients, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, which belong to a class of drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). These work by blocking an enzyme HIV needs to multiply, lowering the amount of virus in the body.

Truvada is taken as one tablet once a day, with or without food — swallow it whole without crushing or chewing. It's important to take it exactly as prescribed — don't stop or change your dose without talking to your provider, even if you're feeling well.

While Truvada is highly effective at preventing and managing HIV, it is not a cure and does not stop HIV from spreading to others, so safe sex practices are still recommended.

Apretude, approved in 2021, is an injection that is administered once every two months (bimonthly) to prevent new infections in HIV-negative individuals.

Apretude contains the drug cabotegravir, classified as an HIV integrase inhibitor. These new antiretroviral drugs work to block a specific HIV enzyme from integrating itself into a white blood cell. This prevents HIV from replicating and lowers overall HIV levels in the bloodstream. However, Apretude doesn't treat existing HIV infection or prevent transmission to partners, so it’s still important to practice safe sex.

Before using cabotegravir injections, your prescribing clinician may order you to take a combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine to see how your body responds to the drug.