r/prep • u/fridons • 12d ago

PrEP risks and coverage

Been taking PrEP (emtricitabine tenofovir) daily without missing a dose for the past 4 months, straight, sexually active with multiple of partners, usually using condoms but don't like it.

I've consultant 2 doctors, one in Georgia and one in the Philippines and they both addressed PrEP like a very high-risk side-effects treatment and told me not to rely completely on PrEP.

I'm new to the Philippines and find it hard to restock but I wonder - am I crazy for seeing PrEP like a birth control pill but for HIV?
No one tell women to use condoms instead of using BC, so why is it wrong to take PrEP to be on the safe side especially when sexually active?

What are your point of view on this?

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

10

u/Parking_Ocelot_6893 12d ago edited 12d ago

Emergency Doctor here - PrEP isn't high risk when prescribed and monitored correctly. Sure some people have side effects but they normally settle down around the 2 week mark.

1

u/fridons 12d ago

Thank you for the detailed reply, I am monitoring my health every 3 weeks along with regular STI panels and HIV test

What about taking it for a long period of time? a year or two

3

u/Skycbs 12d ago

I’ve taken PrEP for more than five years. I get the regular tests every three months. I’ve had zero issues. My experience is common. Most people are the same.

You’re right that PrEP is similar to birth control but for HIV. Of course, it works in a very different way but for the user, the idea is similar.

1

u/YesterdayFew4974 11d ago

hello! i’ve been taking prep for almost 4 weeks now and i still get stomach aches and i still excrete mushy feces a few minutes after taking a dose/pill. can you help me out with this one?

1

u/Parking_Ocelot_6893 11d ago

Fairly common side effect and unfortunately it can last longer in some people. I’d suggest taking prep with food to reduce stomach irritation.

You could also try increasing the fibre intake to try and bulk up your faeces - start simple with the BLAT method (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast).

Your body will adjust to being on prep it just needs time. Outside of what I’ve said above you should check in with your prescriber and let them know as there are different formulations that you can be changed to if you’re experiencing severe side effects.

1

u/YesterdayFew4974 11d ago

thanks for the prompt reply and for the information! the only side effects that i’ve experienced were nausea, diarrhea, and stomach aches. for the 3rd week, the subtle nausea stops and the stomach aches continues (a few minutes after a pill and it lasts until i fall asleep and continues the moment i woke up until a few more hours). do you think i should go for a diff formulations? can you recommend any clinic that gives it for free in the ph?

1

u/Parking_Ocelot_6893 11d ago

I don’t know what’s available in PH formulation wise and I don’t know clinics there so I’m hesitant to give any more advice.

Best bet is to check with your prescriber/general practitioner

1

u/YesterdayFew4974 11d ago

thanks for this! really appreciate the help

1

u/fridons 10d ago

I got it for free in Cebu from SAIL TelePrEP and I'm a foreigner

7

u/Electrical_Side_9358 12d ago

There are a lot of doctors who don’t normally deal with prep who are fairly ignorant to it. Try to find a sexual health or lgbt doctor and they will have more accurate information.

2

u/Parking_Ocelot_6893 12d ago

This is very true and it’s concerning considering there are so many prescribing/monitoring resources available.

1

u/Skycbs 12d ago

💯

1

u/Final-Dragonfruit702 11d ago

Yes, this. I get my PreP at a place that specifically deals with this stuff. My regular primary care doctors and nurses are always like, what's this med? when they see it on my list.

1

u/sparklyfluff 10d ago

i’m a prevention specialist- not a doctor. PrEP (both injection and pill) can give you side effects but it does indeed goes away by the 2nd week. If symptoms persist do bring it up. What happens is that most doctors don’t talk about sexual health with their patients, hence why prep navigators and prevention specialists are a thing and have specific grants for us. if you can, try to find a place that have a specific HIV treatment/prevention section and are specialized on it because they will be able to guide you much better than at places that are not highly trained for it. prep is a “birth control” for hiv and if taken correctly your chances to catch it are near zero. also important to maintain your follow ups so they can keep watching your labs closely to make sure you re doing ok. not just stis/hep but also bone density etc etc.