What are PrEP and PEP?

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) are medicines that can be used by people who are HIV-negative to help prevent acquiring HIV infection from sexual contact or injection drug use. They work by preventing the virus from taking hold in the body and spreading. 

PrEP is medication that is started before possible exposure to HIV and is continued regularly so that it can help prevent HIV if an exposure were to occur. 

PEP is medication that can be taken after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent acquiring HIV from the recent exposure. It must be started within 72 hours after exposure (the sooner the better) and continued for a total of 28 days.

Where to get PrEP and PEP:

Health Services: Providers can prescribe PrEP and PEP to students during office hours Monday-Friday.

Planned Parenthood: Planned Parenthood of Greater New York has local offices where PrEP and PEP can be prescribed. Call 518-584-0041 to make an appointment. 

PEP Hotline: New York state has an HIV PEP Hotline (844-PEP-4NOW/844-737-4669) through Mount Sinai. Students can call directly (24hrs a day/7 days per week) to get PEP medications, information, and education. Medication prescriptions are sent immediately to a local pharmacy so that students can pick them up and start taking them soon as possible. The hotline also provides emergency contraception.

Emergency room: PEP can be prescribed in emergency rooms, including the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Room.