What is PrEP?

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. When you’re on PrEP, you take one dose of an HIV drug called Truvada (brand name) or its generic equivalent, once a day, every day. PrEP can be taken by both men and women to prevent HIV infection.

PrEP 101

Health Canada has approved Truvada and its generic equivalents for PrEP on the basis of one pill, once a day, every day.  Other dosing regimens, for example, on-demand dosing, are not approved by Health Canada, and may not be as effective. 

PrEP can give you peace of mind when it comes to HIV prevention. But, being on PrEP doesn’t protect against other sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis.

When you’re on PrEP, it’s important to visit your doctor regularly, usually every 3 months, for routine blood work and to get tested for STIs.

Truvada & generic Truvada for PrEP

Truvada is a drug that is used in both the treatment of HIV and PrEP to prevent HIV infections. Truvada is a combination of two drugs: emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.

In July 2017, Health Canada approved generic versions of Truvada for PrEP.

How much does PrEP Cost?

The cost of Generic Truvada is about $250 per month in Ontario, and this is about one-quarter the cost of the brand name version.

Generic medications are cheaper and just as effective.

Using generic medications when they are available is a good thing. Plus, they help keep insurance premiums lower and government health care costs in check. It’s a win-win.

Generic drug companies test their products rigorously to ensure the drugs they are producing are 'bio-equivalent' to the brand name version. This means, that while the shape or colour of the generic pills may be different, they have the same chemical formulation and the same level of effectiveness as the brand name version.

Find out more about costs and insurance coverage for PrEP.

All generic brands of PrEP are in stock at The Village Pharmacy.

The Village Pharmacy always has all generic versions of Truvada and brand name Truvada in stock - so you'll always get your meds on time, without delay.

The Village Pharmacy also has the lowest price for PrEP in Toronto, and will ship PrEP for free directly to you, anywhere in Ontario. Get the free app and send us your prescription now. 

Is PrEP safe?

The latest research shows that PrEP is very safe when taken as directed.

A meta-analysis of taking PrEP found that there were no increased risk of serious side effects when compared to taking a placebo.

More than 15,000 research participants were included in the 14 research studies that were reviewed in this analysis. The study looked at common concerns such as bone fractures or significant kidney dysfunction. (PrEP users did have more mild kidney dysfunction than placebo, but since it is reversible when stopped, it is not considered a significant health effect).

Summary: How safe is PrEP? Meta-analysis finds no increased risk of serious side-effects

Full Research Report: How safe is TDF/FTC as PrEP? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the risk of adverse events in 13 randomised trials of PrEP

It’s true that a handful of people have been infected with HIV while on PrEP. Only two cases have been recorded where the strain of HIV was resistant to Truvada. In other cases, either the person was already HIV positive, or adherence couldn’t be validated. Read more about these cases here.

Taking PrEP once a day, every day, is highly effective at preventing HIV. This study from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Francisco showed *zero* HIV infections among 600 men who were on PrEP for 2 ½ years. A study published in the Oxford Journal showed PrEP to be just as safe as Aspirin.  

Are there side effects to taking PrEP?

Most people do not experience side effects when taking PrEP.

The three most common side effects of PrEP are: headache, dizziness and nausea. These side effects usually resolve within about a week after starting PrEP.

But, regular visits to your doctor are important.

PrEP can sometimes be hard on the kidneys and bones. Regular bloodwork and checkups with your doctor are a good idea, and can help identify any irregularities before they become a major concern.

The vast majority of people on PrEP tolerate it without any issues. However, if you think you're experiencing side effects or have questions about drug interactions (prescription or otherwise), get in touch with the pharmacist for a consultation.

For more information about Truvada/generic Truvada and how it affects your body, download and read the Truvada drug information sheet here.