Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Options - Callen-Lorde

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Options

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) options are for people who are HIV negative and want to prevent HIV transmission. When used consistently, PrEP has been shown to reduce the possibility of HIV infection by up to 99% when taken as directed.  

Cost doesn’t need to be a barrier to accessing PrEP. Callen-Lorde can help New Yorkers access PrEP medications regardless of insurance status. Don’t hesitate to ask your provider about our care coordination services that can connect you with assistance programs!   

PrEP is for everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender or race. PrEP does not affect gender affirming hormone levels and hormones don’t change the effectiveness of PrEP. It doesn’t interact with alcohol, and most PrEP options don’t interact with recreational drugs (EXCEPT for Yeztugo; talk to your provider for details). Anyone who is sexually active and/or injecting substances should consider PrEP.  

Oral PrEP 

There are two medications for oral PrEP: Truvada (emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) and Descovy (emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide). 

Daily Oral PrEP 

Daily PrEP may be right for you if you: 

  • You like the routine of a daily pill  
  • You want to avoid injections 
  • You want consistent protection  

What you need to know about daily PrEP: 

  • Daily oral PrEP is effective for all types of sex 
  • Daily generic Truvada (emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is the only PrEP currently proven effective for people who inject drugs 

PrEP On-Demand 

PrEP On Demand, also known as 2-1-1 PrEP, is taking PrEP before and after sex instead of daily. 

PrEP on-demand may be right for you if you: 

  • If you have sex less frequently 
  • Do not want to take a daily pill  
  • You want to avoid injections

What you need to know about PrEP on-demand: 

  • It has only been studied in cisgender men who have sex with men (ask your provider if this medication is right for you). 
  • Truvada (emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is the only medication studied for On Demand use 
  • Descovy (emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide) has not been studied for on-demand use and is not recommended

For all PrEP use for HIV prevention 

  • If you miss PrEP doses, emergency Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent HIV if taken within 72 hours of a possible exposure  
  • Condoms provide additional protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Safety 

Oral PrEP is safe and generally well-tolerated. Routine HIV tests, STI tests, and labs will need to be done every 3 months to continue PrEP and help ensure you stay protected against HIV. 

Some people who take PrEP have reported mild side effects such as nausea and headache, but these side effects usually improve after the first few days to weeks. If you are taking PrEP, tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bothers you or that don’t go away. 

Booking an appointment and paying for your medication  

Schedule your appointment here or call our main number at 212-271-7200. 

While most insurances cover PrEP, there are different financial support programs available for uninsured, underinsured, and insured patients. Patients may qualify for the following programs: 

  • Medication Assistance Program which covers cost of medication (click here for details)  
  • PrEP AP which covers lab and visit costs (click here for details) 
  • Ready, Set, PrEP makes PrEP medication available at no cost to those who qualify. 
  • After you see a medical provider, a case manager can speak with you in more detail about these programs and how to apply. Some cover medication, some cover clinical visits and lab costs, and some cover both 

Apart from these programs, we have an insurance navigation team that is also available to assist patients apply for public insurance plans. Our goal at Callen-Lorde is to make HIV prevention accessible and affordable.  

Long-Acting Injectables (LAIs)  

Long-acting injectables (LAIs) are extended-release medications you receive as injections on a specific schedule. These medications for PrEP  are very effective at preventing HIV. 

Callen-Lorde believes that the expansion of LAIs are one of the keys to ending the HIV epidemic both in New York City and across the globe. New and existing Callen-Lorde patients could be on a new LAI medication in just two weeks from their intake appointment, contingent on insurance coverage. 

Which medications are available at Callen-Lorde? 

  • Apretude (Cabotegravir) is an intramuscular injection given by a nurse in our clinics every two months after the initial first two monthly doses. 
  • Yeztugo ( Lenacapavir) is a set of two subcutaneous injections given by a nurse in our clinics every six months. Yeztugo is initiated with two oral tablets taken with the first two injections followed by two more oral tablets the next day. 

Benefits of LAIs 

LAIs are a great option for individuals for whom taking a daily pill is a challenge or who prefer a long-acting injectable medication. LAI patient appointments are required every 2 or 6 months.  

Accessing LAIs 

New patients can now access LAIs through making an appointment for an eligibility intake. Ask any provider or front desk staff person at any of our locations to set up your intake session. Your first injection appointment will be scheduled after your intake appointment. 

Who these medications are best for

Both Apretude and Yeztugo have been proven highly efficacious (99%) for preventing HIV through sexual exposure among a wide range of diverse communities including cisgender women, men who have sex with men (MSM), trans men and women and nonbinary people. Trials are in process to study effectiveness of Yeztugo in preventing HIV through injection drug use.