&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff9900;&quot;&gt;How Do I Take PrEP?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Many people associate PrEP with daily use to prevent HIV, but that&amp;rsquo;s not entirely accurate. PrEP offers different dosing methods, allowing for effective HIV prevention without requiring daily intake. The right method for you depends on:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How far in advance you plan to have sex&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How frequently you engage in sex&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The frequency of sexual activity doesn&amp;rsquo;t necessarily determine the best dosing method. This guide will help you explore the available options so you can make an informed decision with your healthcare provider.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff9900;&quot;&gt;PrEP Dosing Options for HIV Prevention&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There are four recommended dosing options for PrEP. Since PrEP isn&amp;rsquo;t a one-size-fits-all solution, it&amp;rsquo;s essential to understand your choices and consult your doctor. When taken as directed, PrEP can offer up to 99% protection against HIV. Your main options are:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Daily PrEP&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;ndash; A pill taken once daily (recommended for most people).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;On-Demand PrEP&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;ndash; A 2-1-1 dosing routine taken before and after sex.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
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&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;Daily PrEP: A Pill Once a Day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Daily PrEP is suitable for both anal and vaginal or frontal sex, with a lead-in time of seven days. Taking it at the same time daily helps build a routine, but occasional variations by a few hours won&amp;rsquo;t reduce its effectiveness. To stay consistent, consider pairing it with daily habits&amp;mdash;like taking your pill after brushing your teeth. PrEP can be taken with or without food, at any time of day.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff9900;&quot;&gt;What If You Forget a Dose?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;One advantage of daily PrEP is its flexibility. Missing an occasional dose doesn&amp;rsquo;t significantly reduce its effectiveness. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, even if it&amp;rsquo;s later in the day. Then return to your regular schedule. However, frequent missed doses can lower its protection, so consistency is key.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff9900;&quot;&gt;On-Demand PrEP: Taking PrEP as Needed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If your sexual activity is less frequent, on-demand PrEP offers an effective alternative to daily use. Based on the IPERGAY study, this method is as effective as daily PrEP for anal sex but is &lt;strong&gt;not recommended for vaginal or frontal sex&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;How to Use On-Demand PrEP&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For condomless sex within the next 24 hours:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Take &lt;strong&gt;2 pills&lt;/strong&gt; 2&amp;ndash;24 hours before sex.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Take &lt;strong&gt;1 pill&lt;/strong&gt; 24 hours after the initial dose.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Take &lt;strong&gt;another pill&lt;/strong&gt; 24 hours later.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you anticipate multiple sexual encounters over a few days, continue taking 1 pill every 24 hours until you&amp;rsquo;ve had two consecutive sex-free days.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff9900;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Important Considerations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;On-demand PrEP isn&amp;rsquo;t suitable for individuals with active hepatitis B, as starting and stopping medication may cause viral flare-ups and liver inflammation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Missing doses can reduce its effectiveness, so adherence to the schedule is crucial.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
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&lt;p&gt;By understanding these dosing methods, you can discuss with your doctor which option best fits your lifestyle and health needs. PrEP is a powerful tool for HIV prevention when used correctly, providing flexibility and peace of mind.&lt;/p&gt;
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&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff9900;&quot;&gt;Are Condoms Still Necessary?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While PrEP offers excellent protection against HIV, it does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis. It also doesn&amp;rsquo;t protect against pregnancy. For comprehensive protection, continue using condoms alongside PrEP.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Additionally, regular doctor visits every three months are essential for HIV testing and ongoing care while on PrEP.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff9900;&quot;&gt;Can I Switch Between PrEP Dosing Options?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Yes, you can adjust your PrEP dosing method to fit your changing needs, but there are important considerations to keep in mind:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;On-Demand PrEP&lt;/strong&gt; is only effective for anal sex and is recommended exclusively for Truvada or its generic equivalents. It should not be used if you&amp;rsquo;re taking Descovy.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Daily PrEP&lt;/strong&gt; works for both anal and vaginal (or frontal) sex, providing safe and effective protection for all users. Both Truvada and Descovy are suitable for daily use.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;For vaginal or frontal sex, taking at least six pills per week is necessary for full protection, as the medication requires more time to become effective compared to anal sex.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Trans people on hormone therapy are advised to stick to daily PrEP, as there isn&amp;rsquo;t enough research to confirm the effectiveness of other dosing methods in this group.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff9900;&quot;&gt;Do I Have to Take PrEP Forever?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;PrEP is a flexible, opt-in treatment, meaning you can start and stop as your circumstances change. While daily consistency is ideal, it&amp;rsquo;s okay to take breaks if necessary. Beyond HIV prevention, PrEP offers peace of mind and reduces stress, benefiting your mental and emotional health as much as your physical well-being.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff9900;&quot;&gt;What Should I Do If I Decide to Stop Taking PrEP?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you decide to stop PrEP&amp;mdash;whether due to a change in your relationship status, financial concerns, or health reasons&amp;mdash;consult your healthcare provider first. They can help you transition safely.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Steps to Follow:&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Continue Taking PrEP for 1 Month:&lt;/strong&gt; Ensure you&amp;rsquo;re protected for at least one month after your last potential HIV exposure.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Tested:&lt;/strong&gt; Take an HIV test 4 weeks after stopping PrEP to confirm your HIV-negative status.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Consult Your Doctor:&lt;/strong&gt; Your healthcare provider can provide personalized guidance and ensure your health is monitored during the transition.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
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