Continuing PrEP

- You must take PrEP as prescribed for it to work.
- If you do not take PrEP as prescribed, there may not be enough medicine in your bloodstream to block the virus.
- The right amount of medicine in your bloodstream can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading in your body.
There are no known interactions between PrEP and hormone-based birth control methods, e.g., the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, or IUD. It is safe to use both at the same time.
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.

- PrEP provides protection from HIV but does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or prevent pregnancy.
- Condoms can help prevent other STDs that can be transmitted through genital fluids, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- Condoms are less effective at preventing STDs that can be transmitted through sores or cuts on the skin, like human papillomavirus, genital herpes, and syphilis.
Page last reviewed: June 6, 2022