Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Disease Summary

HIV attacks the body’s immune system and weakens your body’s ability to fight infections. More than 1.2 million people in the US are living with HIV, and 1 in 8 of them doesn’t know it. The only way to know for sure if you or someone else has been infected is to get an HIV test. Testing is relatively simple. You can ask your health care provider for an HIV test or purchase a home testing kit. If left untreated, HIV can lead to a disease called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is the stage of infection that occurs when your immune system is badly damaged, and you become vulnerable to opportunistic infections.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is daily medication taken by people at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken every day and can reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sexual contact and injecting drugs by 99% and 74%, respectively.

Who should consider taking PrEP?

PrEP is for people who do not currently have HIV but are at risk for getting HIV through sex or injection drug use. PrEP is recommended for people who:

  • Have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and have a partner with HIV, have not regularly used a condom, or have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months
  • Inject drugs and have an injection partner with HIV, or share needles, syringes, and other injecting tools
  • Have been prescribed post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) that is not related to exposure at work and continue to engage in at risk behavior or have taken multiple courses of PEP
  • Are considering getting pregnant and have a partner with HIV

What are the side effects associated with PrEP and is it safe?

Some people experience side effects such as nausea which usually goes away over time. No serious side effects have been reported.

Starting PrEP

With appropriate therapy, infection with HIV may be prevented. PrEP medications prevent HIV infection by blocking the virus and preventing it from spreading throughout your body. If the medication therapy is successful, you will remain HIV-negative. Your risk of getting HIV may be even lower when PrEP is combined with condoms and other prevention methods. Taking PrEP medications as directed can help reduce your risk of getting HIV. Failure to stay adherent to therapy may increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV by decreasing the effectiveness of the medication

How do I know if my medications are working?

You should receive routine lab work to test for HIV.

Overcoming Medication Challenges

It is important for you to know the benefits of your medications. Here at Magellan Rx, we understand your concerns and want to help you with any difficulties you may encounter. For additional information on how to overcome medication challenges, please click here: Overcoming Medication Challenges

Drug Therapies: PrEP Medications

Combination medications provide a great opportunity to increase treatment compliance by reducing pill burden for patients. 

Descovy® (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide)

  • Description
    • Descovy is a combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide.
  • Dosing and Administration
    • Descovy is typically given once daily and should not be used in patients requiring dosage adjustments or titration.
  • Drug Interactions
    • Descovy may interact with many other drugs. Dose adjustments of other medications may be necessary.  Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescriptions and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
  • Common Side Effects
    • Nausea.

Truvada® (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

  • Description
    • Truvada is a combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide.
  • Dosing and Administration
    • Truvada is typically given once daily and should not be used in patients requiring dosage adjustments or titration.
  • Drug Interactions
    • Truvada may interact with many other drugs. Dose adjustments of other medications may be necessary.  Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescriptions and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
  • Common Side Effects
    • Nausea.

References and Links

Additional resources:

Organizations and Foundations

References:

  1. [Truvada] Prescribing Information. Gilead. May 2018.
  2. [Descovy] Prescribing Information. Gilead. January 2020.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html