PrEP

What is PrEP?

PrEP, an abbreviation for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a daily prescription pill or injectable for HIV-negative people who are at risk of getting HIV through sex or injection drug use.

When taken daily, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk of getting HIV by more than 70%.

When PrEP is combined with regular, correct condom use, the risks go down even more.

If you…

Have condomless sexual contact

Have sex with multiple partners or a partner with multiple partners

Have sex with someone who’s HIV+

Have, or have recently had, a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

Use drugs

Have sex with anonymous partner(s) or met partner(s) on an app/online

… then PrEP may be a good HIV prevention option for you

Get help accessing PrEP

PrEP is available only by prescription. To assist Wyoming patients in navigating access to PrEP medication, including finding a prescriber and coverage for the cost of the medication, we partner with the Colorado Health Network (CHN).

To complete a self-referral form for assistance finding a prescriber and/or coverage for the cost of PrEP, click or tap the button below.

GET HELP ACCESSING PREP in Wyoming

Cost concerns

How much does PrEP cost?

Most private insurance plans in the United States may cover the entire cost of PrEP services, including provider visit, labs, and PrEP medication. Cost assistance is also available for those without insurance.

Can I get PrEP if I don’t have insurance/prescription coverage?

Yes! We partner with the Colorado Health Network (CHN) to provide patients with assistance in navigating access to PrEP medication, including finding a prescriber and coverage for the cost of the medication.
You can make an appointment with your healthcare provider, or, if you live in Wyoming, you can click here to complete a self-referral form online.

Young tatooed owners of an antique bike store in Berlin, Germany. Owners are sitting in the foreground while a customer looks at bikes in the background. Horizontal shot.

The Basics of PrEP

What is PrEP?

PrEP, an abbreviation for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a daily prescription pill or injectable for HIV-negative people who are at risk of getting HIV through sex or injection drug use.

What does PrEP do?

When taken daily, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk of getting HIV by more than 70%. When PrEP is combined with regular, correct condom use, the risks go down even more.

Consistent daily use is the only way to ensure the presence of PrEP medicine in your bloodstream, allowing it to successfully block the HIV virus if it enters your system, then prevent it from spreading throughout your body.

How long do I need to take PrEP?

The total length of time you take PrEP is entirely up to you and your healthcare provider.

Most people take it daily during periods of time when they feel they are at risk for getting HIV, then stop taking it once they adopt different sexual behaviors or lifestyles.

How do I get PrEP?

You can make an appointment with your healthcare provider, or you can complete a self-referral form online.

We partner with the Colorado Health Network (CHN) to provide Wyoming patients with assistance in navigating access to PrEP medication, including finding a prescriber and coverage for the cost of the medication.

Who is PrEP meant for?

PrEP is meant to be taken by people without HIV (HIV negative) who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex or injection drug use.

If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions below, PrEP may be a good HIV prevention option for you:

Do you use condoms sometimes or not at all?
Are you open to consistently taking a daily pill?
Are you having anal and/or vaginal sex with multiple partners?
Are you having sex with someone whose HIV status you don’t know?
Have you injected drugs, shared needles, or been in drug treatment in the past six months?

When does PrEP become effective?

For receptive anal sex, PrEP reaches maximum protection after about seven days of daily use.

For receptive vaginal sex and injection drug use, it takes about 20 days.

In both cases, the pill needs to be taken every day to retain its effectiveness and provide maximum protection.

What are the risks and side effects of PrEP?

Depending on the medication prescribed, side effects that have been reported include:

Headache
Abdominal pain
Weight loss or weight gain

More serious side effects include:

Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection
Kidney disease, including kidney failure
Severe liver and bone problems, including pain, softening or thinning; this occurs in less than 10% of patients and start-up symptoms typically resolve in the first month

This is why your healthcare provider will perform STI tests, blood tests and urine tests prior to prescribing PrEP, and why it’s so important to continue having these tests performed routinely during the periods you take PrEP.

How can PrEP protect people who use injection drugs?

HIV can survive in a used needle for up to 42 days, which makes the risk of getting HIV very high if an HIV-negative person shares injection equipment with someone who is HIV-positive.

If you or someone you know uses injection drugs, taking PrEP can reduce the risk of getting HIV by more than 70%.

How to get PrEP

Couple holding hands while taking a walk

Because PrEP is available only by prescription, you’ll need to make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

You can visit Please PrEP Me to find a provider, or complete a self-referral form online to request assistance finding a prescriber and/or coverage for the cost of the medication.

At your appointment, you and your provider will determine if PrEP is the right choice for you.

Questions to ask your provider

If you’re not sure what questions to ask during your appointment, here are some ideas to get you started: 

How effective would PrEP be at reducing my risk of HIV infection?
Can you prescribe PrEP for me here?
What side effects should I be aware of?
How often will I have to be tested for HIV and other STIs?

Your provider will also perform blood tests and urine tests to check for the presence of HIV and STIs and ensure your kidneys and liver are in good shape.

Once test results come back, and you and your provider have agreed that PrEP is the right choice for you, your provider will be able to write you a prescription.

Resources

Access and testing

Find a PrEP provider: Enter your ZIP code to find PrEP services in your area.
Find HIV testing, PrEP, and care services: Enter your ZIP code to locate HIV testing services in your area.
Find low-cost or no-cost HIV, STI, and hepatitis testing: Search by city to find local testing services.
Visit the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA): If you are uninsured or underinsured, PPA may be able to help you access medicines you need—free of charge.

Content sources

Now’s the Time to Find Out About PrEP and PEP: A resource brochure, developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Preventing HIV with PrEP: An overview of PrEP and its uses, developed by the CDC.
Vital Signs: HIV and Injection Drug Use: An overview of syringe services programs for HIV prevention, developed by the CDC.

Provider toolkit

Download Your PrEP Toolkit: Get information and guidance around testing for HIV, prescribing PrEP, and more.
National HIV PrEP Curriculum: Expand your knowledge of PrEP (and earn certifications) with free online courses.
National HIV Curriculum: Cabotegravir (Apretude) Prescribing Information: Find out more about prescribing PrEP for your patients.