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PEP

Emergency HIV prevention after a possible exposure. It must be started within 72 hours.

Get urgent advice about PEPFrom £79

In short

PEP is emergency HIV prevention that must be started within 72 hours of a possible exposure, so it's time-critical. Go to a sexual health clinic or A&E straight away. A GP can advise on follow-up and ongoing prevention like PrEP.

Overview

What is pep?

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of anti-HIV medication taken after a possible exposure to HIV to stop an infection taking hold. It must be started as soon as possible, and within 72 hours, so it's an emergency. It's accessed through sexual health clinics or A&E, not a routine appointment.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

  • Not applicable, PEP is emergency medication taken after a possible HIV exposure

When to act

When to see a doctor

If you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, don't wait, go to a sexual health clinic now, or A&E if none is open. Use a GP consultation for follow-up testing and ongoing prevention (including PrEP) afterwards.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent help if

  • Any possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours, do not wait, go to a sexual health clinic now, or A&E if one isn't open
  • The sooner PEP is started the better; after 72 hours it is no longer effective
  • A sexual assault, where sexual health services and specialist support can also help

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice.

Treatment

How a private GP can help

  • Urgent advice if you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours
  • Clear direction to the fastest place to get PEP (sexual health clinic, or A&E out of hours)
  • Explanation of what PEP is and how it's taken (a 28-day course)
  • Advice on follow-up HIV and STI testing
  • A conversation about ongoing prevention, including PrEP, afterwards
  • Support without judgement

What we don't do

  • Provision of emergency PEP, start it urgently at a sexual health clinic or A&E
  • Specialist HIV care (NHS HIV services)

Pricing

What it costs

PEP is time-critical and provided urgently and free by NHS sexual health services or A&E, please go there first if you may have been exposed in the last 72 hours. A private online consultation (from £79) is useful for follow-up testing and ongoing prevention advice.

See full pricing breakdown

FAQ

Common questions about pep

What is PEP and how fast do I need it?
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of medication that can prevent HIV after a possible exposure. It must be started as soon as possible and within 72 hours, so treat it as an emergency.
Where do I get PEP?
From a sexual health (GUM) clinic during opening hours, or from A&E if a clinic isn't open. Don't wait for a routine appointment, time is critical.
How effective is PEP?
PEP significantly reduces the risk of HIV when started quickly and taken correctly for the full 28 days. The sooner it's started, the better it works.
What's the difference between PEP and PrEP?
PEP is emergency treatment after a possible exposure (within 72 hours). PrEP is taken regularly beforehand to prevent HIV. After a course of PEP, we can advise on starting PrEP.
See all conditions we can help with

Need urgent advice about PEP?

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