PrEP is the acronym for pre-exposure prophylaxis, a technology to prevent HIV infection for people not infected by the virus. Important: PrEP must be added to other prevention measures, such as the use of condoms and lubricating gel, as this prophylaxis does not prevent the occurrence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). PrEP is part of so-called combined prevention.
There are two types of PrEP in use around the world: oral and injectable. In Brazil, currently only the oral modality is available, and the injectable form is only in implementation studies.
Daily oral PrEP
It consists of daily use of an antiretroviral pill, the correct intake of which reduces the risk of infection by more than 90%, a rate similar to that of condoms.
There is also the on-demand modality (oral PrEP 2+1+1), currently recommended by the WHO only for gays, bisexuals and other men who have sex with men who have infrequent sexual relations.
To learn more about this modality of PrEP, read technical note No. 563 from the Ministry of Health on the subject by visiting http://azt.aids.gov.br/documentos/SEI_MS%20-%200030684487%20-%20Nota%20T %C3%A9cnica%20563.2022.pdf
Injectable PrEP (CAB-LA)
Not yet available in Brazil, long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) is administered via intramuscular injection into the gluteal muscle in two applications one month apart and, subsequently, every two months. Studies have proven that the injectable modality is even more effective than the oral modality, which has also already been proven as long as it is used as indicated, aiming to prevent HIV infection via sexual intercourse.