What is PrEP On Demand?

PrEP on-demand is a newer way of taking PrEP in Australia to stay protected against HIV. PrEP on demand means exactly that - when you know you are going to have sex you take a set of pills over three days. Your first dose occurs before you have sex, with two doses after the sexual event. It is best for planned events.

Compared to PrEP daily, this means fewer pills. However, timing and adherence to the dosing schedule is very important. Failure to follow the dosing schedules means you have no protection against HIV.

HIV PrEP is available via the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for those with Medicare, which allows you to access PrEP via a pharmacy which is subsidised by the government and costs around $30 for 30 tablets. If you do not have Medicare - you can still access PrEP. The cost is typically around $40~ from the pharmacy for non-PBS scripts.

How do you take PrEP on demand?

PrEP on demand, schedule shown below, is the advised usage in order to protect against HIV

• 2 tablets at least 2 hours before having sex

• 1 tablet 24 hours after the first dose

• 1 tablet 24 hours after the second dose

This schedule is typically called the 2-1-1 rule.
If your sexual event turns into a longer session or you have another event the next day:

• Continue to take 1 tablet every 24 hours after the last dose for as long as you are hooking up/having sex

• PrEP is to be continued 24 hourly until you have had 2 tablets (24hrs apart) after the last dose event/hook-up

It is important to remember:

• This is general information and may be different for different patients - be sure to talk about it with your Hey Fella doctor
  

• At a minimum take the initial dose 2 hours before sex, however you can take it between 2-24 before sex at a time that will also be convenient the following 2 days

• Your second and third doses are timed from when you started PrEP on demand, not when you had sex
  

If you don't end up having sex you can safely stop taking PrEP On Demand without needing to finish the full course of PrEP on demand.

Who is PrEP on demand good for?

PrEP on demand Is usually ideal for the cis-gendered man who:

• Plans when you have sex or can delay having sex for 2 hours in order to take your PrEP on demand

• Is good at following a set schedule (you can set your phone alarm 24hrly at the time of your first dose)

• You have sex less than twice a week (if you are having it more often daily may be better as you end up taking the same amount of pills without the worry of strict timing)

If following a strict schedule is challenging or you like to be spontaneous on your hookups (eg apps) PrEP daily may be better for you. Use our PrEP selector to find out if daily or on-demand is best for you.

Find out with our PrEP Selector

Timing is very important with PrEP on-demand

You only archive protection against HV if you follow the dosing schedule including taking it at the exact timing intervals.
If you miss a dose or you run out whilst taking PrEP on demand you do not have protection against HIV. In this case you will need to take PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). This is a 28-day course of medication that if taken within 72 hours after a potential exposure to HIV, may help prevent infection.