PrEP

PrEP Facts

  • How to take:
    • Truvada - One pill, everyday.
    • 2-1-1 Truvada - Take 2 pills 2-24 hours before sex, 1 pill 24 hours after 1st dose & 1 final pill 24 hours after 2nd dose. Discuss additional details with your provider; PrEP 2-1-1 San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
    • Descovy - One pill, everyday
    • Long-acting Injectable Cabotegravir - First 2 injections given 1 month apart, then 1 injection every 2 months.
  • PrEP Effectiveness:
    • Truvada - >99% effective in cis-gender men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM); lower rates of effectiveness in people with vaginas and people who inject drugs (PWID).
    • 2-1-1 Truvada - 86% effective
    • Descovy - >99% effective
    • Long-acting Injectable Cabotegravir - More effective than daily pills.
  • Who should use PrEP?
    • Truvada - Everyone
    • 2-1-1 Truvada - Gay & bisexual cismen; not recommended for ciswomen or transgender people.
    • Descovy - Gay & bisexual cismen and transwomen; not recommended for ciswomen & transmen.
    • Long-acting Injectable Cabotegravir - Everyone
  • Side effects:
    • Truvada has very low rates of side effects. May have “start-up” symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, & vomiting) which usually resolve in the 1st month of PrEP use.
    • 2-1-1 Truvada side effects are the same as daily Truvada. If using PrEP 2-1-1 & taking less than four pills per week, these side effects may be even less likely.
    • Descovy has very low rates of side effects. May have “start-up” symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, & vomiting) which usually resolve in the 1st month of PrEP use.
    • The most common side effects of long acting cabotegravir injections are pain, redness & swelling at the site of injection.
  • Does insurance cover the cost of PrEP? Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover the cost of PrEP. Co-pays and/or deductibles may still apply. When choosing a PrEP provider, it is important to find someone who is in-network with your insurance plan.
  • Patient Assistance: There are payment assistance programs that you may qualify for that provide PrEP at low or no cost. Contact Public Health Institute at Denver Health’s Linkage to Care Team at 303-602-3652 for more information.
  • For more information regarding PrEP, please view our printable PrEP Medication Patient Comparison Handout.

PrEP Patient Assistance Programs

  • Proof of a Medicaid denial may be required for some patient assistance programs. To enroll in Medicaid, you can apply online at Health First Colorado or call 1-800-359-1991. For additional assistance, please visit Denver Health Enrollment Services or call 303-602-2300.
  • Below are the patient assistance programs that you may qualify for that provide PrEP at low or no cost:
PHIP (Public Health Intervention Program) is a program offered by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. PHIP covers costs related to your PrEP medical visits which may include office visits, labs, testing, and treatment. Depending on PHIP eligibility additional requirements may apply. PHIP requires annual enrollment. 303-692-2716
Gilead's Advancing Access program covers the cost of name brand Truvada and Descovy for PrEP while uninsured at participating pharmacies. Gilead Advancing Access requires annual enrollment. 1-800-226-2056
Gilead's Co-Pay Card may cover up to $7,200 in copays a year towards the cost of name brand Truvada and Descovy for PrEP while commercially insured. 1-877-505-6986
Ready, Set, PrEP program covers the cost of name brand Truvada and Descovy for PrEP while uninsured at participating pharmacies. Ready, Set, PrEP requires annual enrollment. 1-855-447-8410
ViiV Connect program covers the cost of name brand Apretude for PrEP while uninsured. ViiV Connect requires annual enrollment. 1-844-588-3288
Apretude Savings program may cover up to $7,500 a year towards out of pocket costs of name brand Apretude for PrEP; including deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance, while commercially insured. Does not cover office-visit fees. 1-844-588-3288

PEP

PEP Facts

  • How To Take: PEP must begin within 72 hours of exposure. After this time HIV infection is established and cannot be prevented. Treatment should continue for four weeks. It involves taking multiple medicines, once or twice a day.
  • PEP Effectiveness: When taken as soon as possible after an exposure, PEP may be up to 80% effective at reducing your chance of getting HIV. Taking PEP does not guarantee that someone exposed to HIV will not get the virus. Missing a dose may reduce PEP’s ability to prevent HIV.
  • Who should use PEP? PEP should be used by anyone who thinks they have been exposed to HIV. People may be exposed to HIV in many ways:
    • On the job, such as through an accidental needle stick
    • From sexual assault
    • During condomless sex
    • Sharing needles used for injecting drugs
    Individuals who have experienced repeated HIV exposures outside of a health care setting should consider HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is an effective prevention option that reduces the risk of getting HIV.
  • Side Effects: The most common side effects from PEP medications are nausea, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. These can be treated and are not life-threatening.
  • Does insurance cover the cost of PEP? Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover the cost of PEP. Co-pays and/or deductibles may still apply.
  • Patient Assistance: Medication assistance coordinators are available to assist with enrolling in patient assistance programs that you may qualify for that provide PEP at low or no cost.

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