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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV

PrEP stands for pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis. It is taken as a pill on an ongoing basis by someone who does not have HIV to stop them from getting HIV. PrEP is an antiretroviral drug, the same type of pill used to treat someone who is already HIV positive.

All GUM clinics in Northern Ireland offer PrEP.

To access PrEP in Northern Ireland, you need to be;

  • over 16
  • able to attend for regular three month reviews in Belfast
  • willing to stop taking PrEP when no longer eligible
  • resident in Northern Ireland
  • HIV negative and have tested for HIV at a clinic in the previous 12 months

You will also need to meet one or more of the following criteria;

  • HIV negative and expect to have condomless sex with an HIV positive partner/s with a detectable viral load
  • HIV negative and have had condomless sex in the past three months and think you will again in the next three months
  • you are a cis or transgender man who has sex with men or a transgender woman
  •  you don’t meet the previous descriptions, but you have been clinically assessed as being at similar high risk of becoming HIV positive

This is not a definitive guide and eligibility will be determined by clinicians. If you think you would benefit from accessing PrEP, you should attend your nearest GUM clinic for an assessment.
Further information on PrEP can be found at;

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