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PrEP

A daily medicine regimen that helps you stay HIV-negative. When taken daily, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV from sex or injection drug use, and PrEP medication in the form of an injection every two months is also an available option.

Is PrEP the right
choice for you?

Watch and find out.

To book your sexual health services appointment, call 213.201.5000 or make an appointment online.

CALL NOWBOOK ONLINE

What is PrEP?

PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) is a daily medicine regimen people at risk for HIV take to prevent contracting the virus. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body. When taken daily, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV from sex or injection drug use.

PrEP medication in the form of an injection every two months is also an available option.
PrEP FAQs

How Can I Get PrEP?

APLA Health’s clinics provide exceptional PrEP care from knowledgeable healthcare providers. In addition to PrEP medical care and PrEP navigation services, our clinics also offer HIV testing, STD testing/treatment, primary care, behavioral health services including mental health and substance abuse counseling, and benefits navigation.

These services are available at low cost, and in some cases, for free. For more information, book an appointment today!

To book your sexual health services appointment, call 213.201.5000 or make an appointment online.

CALL NOWBOOK ONLINE

PrEP FAQs

Here you will find the most common questions we get asked about PrEP. If you’d like more information about PrEP and how it fits into your life, you can book an appointment to speak with a PrEP counselor.

To book your sexual health services appointment, call 213.201.5000 or make an appointment online.

CALL NOWBOOK ONLINE

PrEP is available in 3 different forms:

Daily Pill (Most Popular!)
Taking one pill a day will prevent you from becoming HIV positive.
DAILY PREP
On-Demand PrEP

There is also an alternative to daily PrEP called On-Demand PrEP (2-1-1). It is extremely effective when used as prescribed, but it is not for everyone.

ON-DEMAND PREP (2-1-1)
Injectable PrEP

PrEP medication in the form of an injection every two months is also an available option.

INJECTABLE PREP

Side effects of PrEP differ from person to person. The most common side effects clients report are upset stomach and headache for the first two weeks. If your side effects last longer than two weeks make sure to tell your healthcare provider.

There are currently two FDA approved medicines for PrEP: Truvada and Descovy. Truvada is the only FDA approved medicine for those assigned female at birth. PrEP medication in the form of an injection every two months is also an available option.

No one knows your body like you do, so it is entirely up to you to decide when to start and stop taking PrEP. If you’re on PrEP and feel like your risk of getting HIV has significantly decreased, then you can speak with your healthcare team about taking a break.

There is currently no data that suggests that PrEP and HRT interfere with one another. It is important to inform your healthcare provider of all the current prescriptions you are on.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about PrEP! PrEP is for ANYONE who wants to stay HIV negative.

Absolutely! There are several patient assistance programs that can help you get PrEP at little to no cost to you. Call us today to find out more.

As long as you live in California we can assist you in getting on PrEP for little to no cost. Your privacy is our utmost priority. We do not report any patient information to ICE.

Daily PrEP

Is Daily PrEP right for me?

It is effective for people who have any type of sex. If you want to stay HIV-negative, Daily PrEP may be right for you. Discuss this with your healthcare team.

Do I have to take Daily PrEP every day?

Yes. In order for it to be effective, you must take the pill daily as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Once I start Daily PrEP do I have to take it for the rest of my life?

No one knows your body like you do, so it is entirely up to you to decide when to start and stop taking PrEP. If you’re on PrEP and feel like your risk of getting HIV has significantly decreased, speak with your healthcare team about taking a break.

What if I take a break from PrEP?

If you stopped taking PrEP and want to start again, make an appointment with your healthcare team. Be sure to ask your healthcare team how long it takes for PrEP to be effective after restarting.

How much will Daily PrEP cost me?

Whether you are insured or not, PrEP services are available at low to no cost. Discuss options with your healthcare team.

How can I get PrEP?

APLA Health’s clinics provide exceptional PrEP care from knowledgeable healthcare providers. For more information, book an appointment today by calling us at 213.201.5000.

On-Demand PrEP (2-1-1)

An alternative to daily PrEP. Ask your medical provider if On-Demand PrEP is right for you.

Directions
  • Take two pills of Truvada or generic Truvada 2 to 24 hours before sex*.
  • Continue taking one pill every 24 hours, as long as you are having sex.
  • Once you stop having sex, take two final doses 24 hours apart.
One Day of Sex
Multiple Days of Sex
How much will On-Demand PrEP cost me?

Whether you have insurance or not, PrEP services are available at low to no cost. Discuss options with your healthcare team.

Daily PrEP vs. On-Demand PrEP (2-1-1)
Daily PrEPOn-Demand PrEP (2-1-1)
Who does it work for?People who have any type of sexEffective for people who bottom and/or top during anal or butt sex*
EffectivenessExtremely effective when used dailyExtremely effective when used as prescribed by your healthcare provider
Side effectsSame as On-Demand PrEP (2-1-1)Same as Daily PrEP
PlanningNo planning needed around sex, just take one pill every dayNeed at least 2 hours of notice to take pills before sex and reminders to take pills after sex
Lab ScheduleRequired to come in for lab work every 3 monthsRequired to come in for lab work every 3 months or when a refill is needed
Daily PrEPOn-Demand PrEP (2-1-1)
Who does it work for?
People who have any type of sexEffective for people who bottom and/or top during anal or butt sex*
Effectiveness
Extremely effective when used dailyExtremely effective when used as prescribed by your healthcare provider
Side effects
Same as On-Demand PrEP (2-1-1)Same as Daily PrEP
Planning
No planning needed around sex, just take one pill every dayNeed at least 2 hours of notice to take pills before sex and reminders to take pills after sex
Lab Schedule
Required to come in for lab work every 3 monthsRequired to come in for lab work every 3 months or when a refill is needed

*If you don’t fit into this category and you have questions, please speak to your healthcare provider.

The On-Demand PrEP (2-1-1) strategy has not been approved by the FDA. However, there is evidence supporting this dosing strategy, and The Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Antiviral Society - USA (IAS-USA) have recognized On-Demand PrEP (2-1-1) as an alternative option for PrEP.

Injectable PrEP

What is Injectable PrEP?

Injectable PrEP is another way of protecting yourself against HIV. Injectable PrEP can be good for you if you can’t take Daily PrEP medication. Apretude is the only medication approved for anyone who is at risk for HIV.

How can I start Injectable PrEP?

Reach out to your healthcare team to get started.

Injection Schedule

Your first and second doses will be one month apart. After your second dose, you will come in every other month. Please refer to the sample schedule below for a peek at what that could look like:

(Injection schedule would continue every other month.)

How much will Injectable PrEP cost me?

The cost of Injectable PrEP can vary. Depending on your insurance, there may be low to no cost options. Discuss cost with your healthcare team.

How often will I have to come in for my injection, follow-ups, and blood work?

Injectable PrEP consists of two initiation injections given one month apart, then every two months after that. Most patients will only need to see their medical provider once every 12 months. HIV testing will happen at every injection visit.

What if I miss an injection or I can't make it to my appointment?

If you can’t make it to your appointment, please contact your healthcare team so they can reschedule your appointment as soon as possible.

What if I change my mind and do not want to continue on Injectable PrEP?

If Injectable PrEP turns out to not be right for you, for whatever reason, talk to your healthcare team to discuss your options.

PrEP Assistance Programs

APLA Health takes most insurance plans and offers PrEP assistance plans. Please book an appointment with us to get more information.

To book your sexual health services appointment, call 213.201.5000 or make an appointment online.

CALL NOWBOOK ONLINE
Please note that we do not take Kaiser Permanente insurance. Please call your Kaiser provider to learn how to access PrEP.
Need help paying for PrEP?
If you live in California and make below $62,000/year you may qualify for free PrEP. Please book an appointment with us to get more information.

PrEP-AP
Assists uninsured and underinsured clients with PrEP related medical visits and lab work

Gilead Advancing Access
Assists uninsured clients with full coverage of PrEP prescription

Gilead Co-Pay Card
Assists insured clients with PrEP prescription co-pays

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PrEP  Locations

Michael Gottlieb Health Center, West Hollywood
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Out Here Sexual Health Center, Baldwin Hills
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APLA Health Center, Long Beach
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APLA Health Center, Mid-Wilshire
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APLA Health Center, CDU/MLK Medical Campus
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