Services

PrEP and PEP

Icon Services Prep

PrEP

People who are HIV negative and at high risk for HIV can enroll in the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (or PrEP) program. They will be prescribed Truvada, a pill that combines two HIV medicines. They take Truvada for PrEP daily to lower their chances of getting infected. Enrollees in the PrEP program return to their provider every 90 days for follow-up care.

PrEP isn’t recommended for everyone. It’s for people who are HIV-negative and more at risk of HIV infection. PrEP may be an option for you if:

  • You are in an ongoing sexual relationship with a partner living with HIV whose HIV is not well controlled.
  • You have multiple casual sexual encounters, and you don’t always use condoms.
  • You’re in a new sexual relationship and not aware of your sexual partner’s HIV status.
  • You have shared injecting equipment or have been in a treatment program for injection drug use.

PEP

PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. If you believe that you may have been exposed to HIV, you would take antiretroviral medicines (ART) to prevent becoming infected. PEP must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV, but the sooner you start PEP, the better. Every hour counts! If you're prescribed PEP, you will need to take it once or twice daily for 28 days depending on your treatment plan. PEP is effective in preventing HIV when administered correctly, but not 100%.

My Care Team

Edward Solis 221107 6745

Edward Solis, MD

Associate Medical Director
  • Primary Care
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Sophie Nurani 221107 6539

Sophie Nurani, ANP-BC

Assistant Director for Community Health
  • Gender-Affirming Care
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Phillip Rico Martinez 221019 3226

Phillip Martinez, MD

Associate Medical Director
  • Primary Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Marlene B  Taylor

Marlene Taylor, PA-C

Physician Assistant Supervisor, HIV Program
  • Primary Care
  • Pediatrics
  • Women’s Health
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment
Meredith Gentes 221104 5868

Meredith Gentes, DNP FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Primary Care
  • Diabetes Management and Education
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
  • Women’s Health
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment
Monica Dreitcer 221020 4116

Monica Dreitcer, FNP

Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Primary Care
  • Diabetes Management and Education
  • PrEP and PEP
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health
2 L Austin 2

Louise Austin, PA

Family Medicine & HIV Services
  • Primary Care
  • Gender-Affirming Care
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Jeffry Mutuc 221107 6966 1

Jeffry Mutuc, MD, MPH

Family Practitioner
  • Primary Care
  • PrEP and PEP
  • Women’s Health
Amy Schlauch 221107 6802

Amy Schlauch, DO

Internal Medicine
  • Primary Care
  • Women’s Health
  • Pediatrics
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
322 Yan Kevin 210203 70211

Kevin Yan, MD

Internal Medicine
  • Primary Care
  • Gender-Affirming Care
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
23Rao Kendall 210203 69291

Kendell Rao, MD

Family Practitioner
  • Primary Care
  • Pediatrics
  • Women’s Health
  • PrEP and PEP
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment
Provider pictures image

Molly Anderson, AG-NP

Adult Nurse Practitioner
  • Primary Care
  • Women’s Health
  • Gender-Affirming Care
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Fay Barrett 240501 5474 1

Fay Barrett, MPH

Senior Director
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Carolina Picardo 221020 4076

Carolina Picardo

Care Technician
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Elizabeth Baez 221020 4709

Elizabeth Baez

Case Manager
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Veronica Ebel PNP

Verena Ebel, FNP

Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Primary Care
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Roberto Vassilarakis 240501 5808

Roberto Vassilarakis

Department Manager, HIV Support Services
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Carlton Lawrence 240731 31021

Carlton Lawrence, MD

Primary Care Physician
  • Pediatrics
  • PrEP and PEP
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health
Krystine Garcia 240731 30291

Krystine Garcia

Care Technician
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP
Virginia Kotsonis 240731 34401

Virginia Kotsonis

Care Technician
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
  • PrEP and PEP

Questions

Is PrEP safe?

PrEP can cause side effects like nausea in some people, but these generally subside over time. No serious side effects have been observed, and these side effects aren’t life threatening. If you are taking PrEP, tell your health care provider about any side effects that are severe or do not go away.

How do I get help to pay for PrEP?

The cost of PrEP is covered by many health insurance plans, and the Gilead Medication Assistance Program, depending on your income. Contact our confidential PrEP hotline at (212) 484-5813 to have one of our PrEP Specialists assist you with the best and most affordable plan for you.

If I take PrEP, can I stop using condoms when I have sex?

No, you should not stop using condoms because you are taking PrEP. PrEP does not give you any protection against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. While PrEP can significantly reduce your risk of HIV infection when taken daily, you should combine additional strategies such as condom use with PrEP to reduce your risk even further. If used correctly, condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV and STIs.

How long do I need to take PrEP before it is effective?

When taken every day, PrEP is safe and highly effective in preventing HIV infection. PrEP reaches maximum protection from HIV for anal sex after about 7 days of daily use. For vaginal sex and injection drug use, PrEP reaches maximum protection after about 20 days of daily use.

Can I take PEP every time I have unprotected sex?

PEP is not the right choice for people who may be exposed to HIV frequently. PEP is given after a potential exposure to HIV, which means more drugs and higher doses are needed to block infection. If you are at ongoing risk for HIV, contact Ryan Health's 24-hour hotline at (212) 484-5813 as soon as possible to speak with a trained staff person who can help you consider the best options available to you to protect against HIV.

How can I pay for PEP?

If you're prescribed PEP after a sexual assault, you may qualify for partial or total reimbursement for medicines and clinical care costs through the Office for Victims of Crime, funded by the US Department of Justice. If you're prescribed PEP for another reason and you cannot get insurance coverage (Medicaid, Medicare, private, or employer-based) Ryan Health can apply for free PEP medicines through the medication assistance programs run by the manufacturers. To avoid delay in getting your medication, please seek help as soon as possible after the exposure.