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PrEP

Medication that prevents HIV. Advice on how it works, access, and monitoring.

Speak to a GP about PrEPFrom £79

In short

PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV when taken correctly. It's available free through NHS sexual health services, with monitoring. A GP can advise whether it's right for you and how to access it.

Overview

What is prep?

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medication taken by HIV-negative people to prevent getting HIV. Taken consistently it's over 99% effective. It requires baseline and regular testing (HIV, kidney function, STIs) and is available free through NHS sexual health services. It doesn't protect against other STIs, so it's used alongside condoms and regular screening.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

  • Not applicable, PrEP is a preventive medication taken before potential HIV exposure

When to act

When to see a doctor

Book a GP for advice on whether PrEP suits you and how to access it. If you've had a possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours, you need PEP urgently, go to a sexual health clinic or A&E now.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent help if

  • A possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours (you need PEP, not PrEP, urgently, go to a sexual health clinic or A&E now)
  • Symptoms of a new HIV infection (flu-like illness, rash) after a risk (get tested promptly)

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

Treatment

How a private GP can help

  • A confidential conversation about whether PrEP is right for you
  • Explanation of how PrEP works and how effective it is
  • Guidance on the tests needed before and during PrEP (HIV, kidney function, other STIs)
  • Signposting to free PrEP via NHS sexual health services
  • Advice on daily versus event-based dosing
  • A broader sexual health and prevention plan, including other STIs

What we don't do

  • Provision and monitoring of the free NHS PrEP programme (NHS sexual health services)
  • Emergency HIV prevention (PEP), which must be started within 72 hours

Pricing

What it costs

An online consultation about PrEP starts at £79 for a 20-minute video appointment. In-pharmacy consultations are £129 and home visits are £189. PrEP and its monitoring are available free via NHS sexual health services; your consultation covers tailored advice.

See full pricing breakdown

FAQ

Common questions about prep

How effective is PrEP?
Taken correctly, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV (over 99% with consistent use). It doesn't protect against other STIs, so regular STI screening and condoms are still recommended.
Can I get PrEP for free?
Yes. PrEP is available free through NHS sexual health services in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We can advise you and point you to access it.
What monitoring is needed?
Before starting you need an HIV test and kidney check, with regular HIV and STI testing while on PrEP. Sexual health services provide this as part of the free programme.
What's the difference between PrEP and PEP?
PrEP is taken before potential exposure to prevent HIV. PEP is emergency treatment started within 72 hours after a possible exposure. If you've had a recent risk, you need PEP urgently.
See all conditions we can help with

Ready to talk to a GP about PrEP?

Message Emily on WhatsApp or book online in under 90 seconds. UK-registered doctors, available today.

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7 days a week · 08:00–22:00 · WhatsApp or email