Users' questions

What is non-occupational PEP?

What is non-occupational PEP?

Non-occupational exposure refers to exposure to an infectious agent that occurs outside of one’s work, for example during sex or when people share needles to inject drugs. The purpose of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is to reduce the risk of infection.

What medication is used for PEP HIV?

PEP is a combination of three drugs. You take them once or twice a day for 28 days: For adults, the CDC recommends tenofovir, emtricitabine (these two drugs come in one pill), and a third drug, either raltegravir or dolutegravir.

What specific drugs are recommended for post-exposure treatment for HIV if the patient’s status is unknown?

PEP is only indicated for potentially exposed people without HIV infection. PEP is unlikely to be effective in people who have been exposed more than 72 hours before seeking medical assistance. PEP should be provided only for infrequent exposures.

When do you use nPEP?

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) means taking medicine to prevent HIV after a possible exposure. PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV. This section answers some of the most common questions about PEP.

What causes PEP failure?

PEP failure, when it occurs, is usually attributed to delayed initiation, transmitted drug resistance, or suboptimal medication adherence.

How expensive is PEP?

A full course of PEP treatment without insurance is costly: usually between $600 to $1,000 at a hospital ER, in addition to other emergency medical costs.

Does PEP weaken your immune system?

Does Pep lower your immune system? 32Theoretically, it is possible that these medications can weaken the immune system when utilized this manner and may actually increase that the threat of HIV disease if an exposure occurs. If danger of esophageal exposure is deemed high, research PEP for hepatitis.

Can I stop PEP after 5 days?

PEP usually isn’t given more than 72 hours (3 days) after exposure as studies show it is unlikely to be effective. However, if you are unable to access PEP within the 72 hours, even if it has been up to 5-7 days since the exposure occurred, it is still worth seeking medical advice to see what your options are.

What is the success rate of PEP?

PEP is effective in preventing HIV infection when it’s taken correctly, but it’s not 100% effective. PEP can lower the risk of getting HIV infection by more than 80%.

Is PEP bad for your liver?

Results: The most frequent clinical side effect was fatigue (in 23 cases, 88.5%), and gastroenterological symptoms were the second most common side effects in HCP with PEP. Liver dysfunction was found in 10 cases (38.5%), while drug rash was found in 18 cases (69.2%) after PEP.

How bad is PEP for you?

PEP may give you some side effects, but most of the time, they are mild. Common side effects include upset stomach, tiredness, diarrhea, and headaches. Tell your provider right away if the side effects are so bad that you cannot handle them. Do not stop taking PEP before talking to your provider.

When to use PEP after non-occupational exposure to HIV?

Results suggest that PEP following non-occupational exposure to HIV was cost saving for men who have unprotected receptive anal intercourse with men, whether the source partner is known to be HIV positive or not; heterosexuals after unprotected receptive anal intercourse; and intravenous drug users sharing needles with a known HIV-positive person.

Is it cost effective to use non-occupational PEP?

The review of cost-effectiveness suggests that non-occupational PEP may be cost-effective, especially in certain population subgroups; however, the assumptions made and data sources used in the cost-effectiveness studies mean that their results should be used with caution. PMID: 19236820 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

What do you mean by postexposure prophylaxis ( PEP )?

HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis, Nonoccupational. Nonoccupational exposure refers to exposure to an infectious agent that occurs outside the workplace (eg, during sex or during the sharing of needles to inject drugs). The CDC’s recommendations for antiretroviral postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) after sexual, injection-drug use,…

When to use nPEP to prevent HIV transmission?

• nPEP is recommended when the source of the body fluids is known to be HIV-positive and the reported exposure presents a substantial risk for transmission. [VII-A] • nPEP is not recommended when the reported exposure presents no substantial risk of HIV transmission.