Truvada for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

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Specializes in LTC, ER, Med/Surg.

Truvada is the brand-name for tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300mg) and emtricitabine (200mg).

It is indicated for the treatment of HIV infection with other anti-retroviral drugs, and to prevent HIV infection in people who are high risk for contracting the infection (Men who have sex with men, people with history of STIs, people who exchange sex for commodities or drugs, serodiscordant partners - a person who's partner is HIV+ and they are HIV-, people who inject drugs).

I have searched the boards for information about PrEP on allnurses.com and haven't found any, so I am deciding to post some information about it so that other nurses, or whoever, will learn about this medication, the benefits, side-effects, and risks.

As a gay man, living in San Francisco, the thought of HIV scares me. So I heard about PrEP and went to talk to my nurse practitioner. I did a lot of research about this medication before even talking to her. After an HIV test, full STI panel, and kidney and liver tests, my nurse practitioner prescribed me the medication. And after about three weeks of fighting with my insurance company for the prior authorization, I started taking the medication.

The only side-effect I personally have got from it was diarrhea. No nausea or anything else. I also take it before bed to potentially minimize any GI side-effects.

One thing about this medication is for it to work, you have to be take it every day for it to be effective. This drug won't prevent HIV 100%, but I consider it, with safe sex, to be another tool in the box on the battle against HIV/AIDS.

This drug is very expensive, it can cost around $12,000/year. Luckily my copay with insurance is $25/month.

While on this drug for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) one must get an HIV test, full STI panel, and renal/liver function tests every three months. If one contracts HIV while one this drug (if the person isn't diligent about it or the medication fails to protect them against HIV) then the person must start other anti-retrovirals, or the drug can cause the virus to mutate and be drug resistant.

Another thing, this drug has an FDA Black Box Warning. This drug can cause lactic acidosis. I remember my pharmacist going over this with me. She was explaining to me all the signs and symptoms of it, but I told her I just went over lactic acidosis in class.

I believe we have a new tool in our fight against HIV/AIDS. When I worked as a CNA, I have taken care of patients at the end-stage of their lives with AIDS, eventually passing away from a opportunistic infection and in my personal lives by having friends with HIV.

Get tested, stay safe, and Happy New Years everybody... can't wait for school to continue next week!

PrEP resources

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/research/prep/

PrEP Facts by SF AIDS Foundation: http://prepfacts.org/

Truvada Website: http://www.truvada.com/

Truvada for PrEP Website: http://start.truvada.com/

Information for Healthcare Providers: http://start.truvada.com/hcp#

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