PrEP Medication Options for Women

HIV is a virus that attacks your body’s immune system cells (the cells that work to fight infections – the “T-Cells” or White Blood Cells). It turns these cells into HIV virus cells.

HOW DOES IT WORK: Truvada™ or Apretude(Cabenuva)™ for PrEP serve as a barrier wall, like birth control in your bloodstream, to help stop the HIV virus from accessing T-Cells and preventing them from changing into virus in your body. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is 99% effective. Condoms are always recommended to prevent other STIs.

PrEP Daily Pill - Truvada:

  • This is a daily pill form of PrEP for the prevention of HIV given in 30-day prescriptions.  

  • Safe for women and men, including youth ages 13+

  • 99% protection from HIV (Must be taken for 7 days prior to anal sex and 21 days prior to vaginal sex for maximum protection) 

  • Common Side Effects:

    • upset stomach, headache, vomiting, loss of appetite

    • Long-term potential side effect:  decreased liver function (providers monitor labs every 3 months) 

    • HIV test every 3 months

  • Tell your doctor if you are taking over the counter pain relievers 

PrEP Every Injectable (every 2 mos.) - Apretude (Cabenuva™ for PrEP) 

  • This is a treatment for the prevention of HIV that is given 6x per year as an injection in the buttocks.  

  • It is safe for women and men – adults only

  • Common Side Effects Include: 

    • flu-like symptoms such as: headache, tiredness, vomiting, muscle ache, fever, nausea, stomach pain, injection site pain/tenderness, bruising/redness, and discomfort

    • Long-term potential side effects: decreased liver function (providers monitor labs every 2 months)

    • HIV test every 2 months

DON’T take Apretude/Cabenuva™ if you are on these medications:

  • Carbamazepine

  • Oxcarbazepine

  • Phenobarbital

  • Phenytoin

  • Rifampin

  • Rifapentine