PEP: HIV Treatment Medication

PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis HIV is a measure of taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected with the virus.

Antiretroviral treatment or ART are drugs that help to fight off the HIV virus. Many people living with HIV are taking treatment and living as normal people without HIV affecting their life. This treatment is not a cure for HIV, but it can keep HIV under control very effectively. By taking ART early, you do not only lower the risk of being infected with the virus but also serve as extra protection for your antibody to resist the disease.

PEP medicine should be taken immediately after a recent unfortunate encounter with HIV. It should be taken within 72 hours of the said incidents. If you haven’t started taking PrEP, PEP is something you should consider.

You should start using PEP medicine if your HIV status is either negative or unknown and in the last 72 hours you.

• Think you have had an unfaithful contact with HIV
• Involved in needle-sharing with someone with unknown or positive HIV status
• Were sexually assaulted or had an uneventful blood transfer

PEP is effective in preventing HIV infection when it’s taken correctly, but it’s not 100% effective. The sooner you start PEP treatment after a possible HIV exposure, the better.

PEP treatment is a combination of TENVIR-EM tablets and Efavir tablets. While Tenvir-EM increases the immunity resistance against the virus, Efavir prevents the virus from multiplying in your body. Tenvir-EM contains Emtricitabine and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Tenofovir DF), and Efavir contains Efavirenz to help to keep HIV infection under control.

It also reduces the chances of transmitting HIV to others if you do become infected while you’re on PEP treatment.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system that protects our body from illnesses. The virus seeks out and destroys T-helper cells, which are a type of white blood cells also known as CD4 cells. Then, the virus makes copies of itself inside these cells.

HIV progressively destroys more T-helper cells and makes more copies of itself, causing the affected person’s immune system to gradually break down. As time goes by, someone living with HIV, who is not receiving treatment, will become weaker, get sick more easily, and take a longer time to recover.

How badly and how fast HIV affects a person will depend on age, health, and background. Typically, it may take up to 10 – 15 years for the immune system to become so severely damaged that it can no longer defend itself if HIV is left untreated.

Patients who think may have been exposed to HIV, usually start PEP HIV prevention within 72 hours of exposure. It is because after that hours the treatment no longer works. PEP HIV prevention is using the same drugs that treat HIV which helps to fight the virus as it tries to infect the body.

Patients are advised to keep using other HIV prevention methods, such as using condoms and using only new, sterile needles when injecting drugs.

PEP medication is known to have mild, non-threatening nausea, diarrhea and tiredness effects for some people. But it is very mild and easily treatable. Besides that, there are no known side effects reported by the users.

There is no downtime related to this medication. Patients can immediately continue with their daily life after taking it. However, this medication can cause mild side effects. It generally only lasts a few days with no long-term side effects.

PEP is a drug program that you need to take after you were exposed to HIV. It is recommended to take it as soon as possible. PEP is estimated to cost a range of RM 1,800 to RM 3,000. For best results, you are advised to take every dose of PEP medication.

In Premier Clinic, each purchase of PEP consists of 2 prescribed medications. It cost around RM 2,200. Both medications need to be consumed for 30 days to avoid you from being infected by HIV. However, PEP usually is taken within 72 hours after exposure for it to be effective.

Premier Clinic is offering a medical consultation for anyone who is concerned about their HIV status. You may purchase PEP or PrEP from any of our branch locations.

Kindly contact our customer service representatives at +6012-662-5552 (Malay/English) / +6012-773-2074 (Chinese speaking) (Whatsapp/Call: https://wa.me/60126625552) or email at contactus@premier-clinic.com to arrange a consultation with our doctor. Our doctor can help assess your condition and suggest suitable medications.

Alternatively, you may come to any of our clinics in Bangsar, TTDI, Mont Kiara, Puchong, and KL City to make an appointment.