PEP: Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
PEP is emergency HIV medicine taken after a possible exposure to HIV. It must be started within 72 hours.
PEP is emergency HIV medicine taken after a possible exposure to HIV. It must be started within 72 hours.
Time-Sensitive: PEP Must Be Started Within 72 Hours
If you think you've been exposed to HIV, go to an emergency room, urgent care clinic, or call your healthcare provider immediately. Every hour matters.
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected. PEP must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV. The sooner you start PEP, the better; every hour counts. According to the CDC, PEP is about 80% effective when started promptly and taken as directed.
PEP is not a substitute for regular use of other proven HIV prevention methods, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), using condoms the right way every time you have sex, or using only sterile drug injection equipment.
The most commonly prescribed PEP regimen is a combination of three antiretroviral drugs taken for 28 days. The NIH AIDSinfo guidelines recommend specific combinations based on the type of exposure and individual patient factors. Common regimens include:
Truvada + Isentress (raltegravir)
Most commonly prescribed for non-occupational PEP
Truvada + Tivicay (dolutegravir)
Preferred regimen in many updated guidelines
Descovy + Tivicay (dolutegravir)
Alternative for patients with kidney concerns
Use the HIV.gov service locator or call 1-800-448-0440 (HIV/AIDS Information Hotline) to find PEP services near you.
If you have completed a course of PEP and continue to have behaviors that put you at risk for HIV, talk to your healthcare provider about starting PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). PrEP is a daily medication that provides ongoing protection against HIV. Learn more about PrEP on our Prevention page.