PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)
The Northern Kentucky Health Department offers a variety of HIV prevention resources, including pathways to PrEP.
What is PrEP?
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a highly effective prevention medication for people who are HIV negative. It involves taking a daily pill or receiving a long-acting shot to prevent acquiring HIV from sex or injection drug use.
Is PrEP right for you?
Talk to a healthcare provider if any of the following are true for you:
- You have been sexually active in the past six months.
- You have a sexual partner with HIV.
- You have not consistently used a condom, or
- You have been diagnosed with an STD in the past six months.
- You inject substances and/or share syringes or other injection equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take PrEP during pregnancy or while breast/chestfeeding?
If you are considering getting pregnant, talk to your health care provider about PrEP if you’re not already taking it. PrEP may be an option to help protect you and your baby from getting HIV before or during pregnancy or while breast/chestfeeding.
Can I take PrEP while on hormone therapy?
If you are worried that PrEP will affect your hormone therapy, ask your healthcare provider to check your hormone levels. There are no known drug conflicts between PrEP and hormone therapy, and there is no reason why the drugs cannot be taken at the same time. People who use PrEP should see their healthcare provider regularly for follow-up HIV tests, shots, or prescription refills. Some of these visits may be able to be combined with your hormone therapy appointments.
Are there side effects to PrEP?
Some people in clinical studies of PrEP had early side effects such as an upset stomach or loss of appetite, but these were mild and usually went away in the first month. Some people also had a mild headache. No serious side effects were observed. You should tell your healthcare provider if these or other symptoms become severe or do not go away.
If you think PrEP may be right for you:
Visit a doctor or healthcare provider. PrEP is only available by prescription.
Discuss with your healthcare provider which form (pill or injection) is right for you.
Where can I get PrEP?
1. Visit any NKY Health clinic starting in July. (Locations)
2. Connect with any of the local providers listed below:
Florence Medical Group
731 Bankers, Suite A
Florence, KY 41042
859-282-8840
St. Elizabeth Medication Management Clinic
20 Medical Village Drive, Suite 103
Edgewood, KY
859-301-4525, option 1
3. Use the PrEP Locator to the right to search for additional providers of your choice.
How do I pay for PrEP?
NKY Health can help you create a plan that includes connecting with insurance, transportation assistance, and additional preventative resources.
Other Ways We Can Help
In addition to PrEP, we also offer other preventative measures, including:
♦ Free condoms
♦ Free syringe and equipment exchange for those who inject drugs.
We also offer free HIV testing at our health centers and mobile locations around the region.
And, we provide connections, support, referrals, and case management to those who test positive for HIV.
