HIV PrEP
HIV PrEP
Taking this medication is an effective way of preventing HIV transmission.
What is HIV PrEP?
PrEP is short for “pre-exposure prophylaxis”. PrEP is a medication that helps stop you from getting HIV. It’s for people who are at higher risk of getting HIV.
Research studies show that taking PrEP every day reduces the risk of getting HIV by up to 99% – this is called daily PrEP. Another option is to take PrEP before and after you have sex – this is known as PrEP 2-1-1, event-based PrEP, or on-demand PrEP. Your clinician can discuss the options that could work best for you.
More information about PrEP from Health New Zealand
More information about options for taking PrEP from the Burnett Foundation
Where can I get HIV PrEP?
You’ll need to talk to a doctor to get HIV PrEP. This medication is only available for people who are at risk of getting HIV.
To find out if you’re able to access HIV PrEP, take a look at the eligibility tool on the Burnett Foundation website.
Contact your usual doctor or medical centre, a sexual health clinic, or find a provider.
The Burnett Foundation also lists PrEP-friendly providers.
Once you have a prescription, HIV PrEP is easy to access through a pharmacy like any other kind of medication. Some pharmacies will always have it in stock, others may need to order it in for you.
The Health Point website lists all the pharmacies in Aotearoa New Zealand that have HIV PrEP available.
How much does HIV PrEP cost?
In Aotearoa New Zealand, HIV PrEP is a publicly funded medication for people who are at risk of HIV.
This means that if you're eligible for publicly funded healthcare, at risk of HIV, and your doctor prescribes you PrEP, you'll be able to pick up your prescription at a pharmacy and pay the same price as you would for any other prescribed medication. For some people, this will mean paying $5. For others, it might be free.
If you’re not eligible to receive funded HIV PrEP, you may be able to access the medication by paying for it yourself.
Does HIV PrEP protect against other STIs?
Although HIV PrEP is extremely effective against HIV, it does not prevent any other sexually transmissible infections (STIs), like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or syphilis.
Other ways to protect yourself from HIV or other STIs include practising safer sex and taking HIV PEP or doxy-PEP.
Do I need an STI test?
Lots of STIs don’t have symptoms, so people don’t know they have them and don’t get treated quickly. This can lead to serious health problems. Get tested regularly to look after your health – and the health of your whānau, sexual contacts and partners.