PrEP
pre-exposure prophylaxis

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

PrEP services are offered in-clinic and via telehealth for ND, SD and MN residents. 

How effective is PrEP?
PrEP can help protect you if you don’t have HIV and any of the following apply to you:

• You have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and you
• have a sexual partner with HIV (especially if the partner has an unknown or detectable viral load),
• have not consistently used a condom, or
• have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease in the past 6 months

PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

• PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed.
• Although there is less information about how effective PrEP pills are among people who inject drugs, we know that PrEP pills reduce the risk of getting HIV by at least 74% when taken as prescribed. Currently, PrEP shots are not recommended for people who inject drugs.
• PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed.

How long does PrEP take to work?

• For receptive anal sex (bottoming), PrEP pills reach maximum protection from HIV at about 7 days of daily use.
• For receptive vaginal sex and injection drug use, PrEP pills reach maximum protection at about 21 days of daily use.
• No data are available for PrEP pill effectiveness for insertive anal sex (topping) or insertive vaginal sex.
• We don’t know how long it takes for PrEP shots to reach maximum protection during sex.

How can I pay for PrEP?Most insurance plans and state Medicaid programs cover PrEP. Under the Affordable Care Act, PrEP must be free under almost all health insurance plans. That means you can’t be charged for your PrEP medication or the clinic visits and lab tests you need to maintain your prescription.
If you don’t have insurance or Medicaid coverage, there are other programs that provide PrEP for free or at a reduced cost:

• Ready, Set, PrEP makes PrEP medication available at no cost to those who qualify.
• Co-pay assistance programs help lower the costs of PrEP medications. Income is not a factor in eligibility.
• ViiVConnect offers a program to help pay for PrEP shots.
• Canopy works with programs that help cover PrEP medication. We can also help find low cost STI testing that is required while on PrEP.
• Canopy works with Avita pharmacy to help provide the lowest cost PrEP available that is delivered to your door.