Question 1

how effective is pep (truvada & isentress) 40 hrs post exposure?

Accepted Answer

Quite effective: No percentage can be given that's accurate since the data on it is limited. 
So I recommend taking it if there is any doubt in exposure.

Question 2

how effective is pep (post exposure prophylaxis) medication? i have read that old mono-therapies were around 80% effective. what about new treatments?

Accepted Answer

Very effective: There are no research studies to document the actual effectiveness of PEP. (It would be ethically impossible to research this by giving some people real PEP and comparing to untreated people on placebo.) Based on animal research and clinical experience, current multi-drug PEP is believed to be nearly 100% effective if started promptly. Effectiveness is less certain after 24-48 hours

Question 3

how effective is hiv pep if it started after 60 hours?

Accepted Answer

: Effective if used within 72 hours of exposure.

Question 4

how effective is hiv pep if started within 2 hours and transmitting person had a viral load of 40 copies/ml? is pep a myth? percentage that it works?

Accepted Answer

PEP works, low risk: Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is not a myth. It works. However, there are no data on exact effectiveness for various kinds of exposure or at different viral loads. With an HIV viral load of 40, transmission of the virus is unlikely even with a high risk exposure. If you also take PEP starting as soon as 2 hours, it is extremely unlikely you will be infected.

Question 5

can trivada alone be effective as pep?

Accepted Answer

: Truvada alone is for PrEP but not for PEP. You need a 3-drug regimen for PEP. Take care.

Question 6

hi doctors. i know pep is 80% effective overall if used within 72 hours of exposure. what is the stats or percentage effectiveness if used within 24 hours with 100% adherence?

Accepted Answer

: The best of my knowledge, it has been no randomized controlled study between 72 hours and 24 hours of post exposure prophylaxis. The reasons for failure for PEPare
Not taking PEP promptly 
Missing doses or not finishing the 28 day course
A  viral strain resistant to PEP drugs
Having unprotected sex with further exposure to HIV while raking PEP
So it is best to start early and 100% compliance.

Question 7

can truvada alone be effective a pep? i took truvada alone for the first dose within the 72 hrs at hr 65. the next day i took truvada at the same time as the first dose and 7 hrs later tivicay, would the late start on tivicay make pep ineffective?

Accepted Answer

: Repeat question and the answer hasn't changed. Truvada alone is highly effective; the improved prevention with addition of dolutegravir (Tivicay) is only modest.

Question 8

is hiv dna pcr test effective at three weeks of exposure while under pep ?

Accepted Answer

Asked and Answered: I believe this has been answered.  Hiv pcr testing while on pep is not in any way appropriate to diagnose HIV infection.  Once pep is stopped then HIV pcr testing is absolutely accurate three weeks after stopping the treatment.

Question 9

thank you for the previous answer doc. while i understand that taking pep ~70hrs post exposure is a "bit late", would it still full under the category of what would be considered effective treatment? it was 68 hours to be precise after oral?

Accepted Answer

: As I said before, oral to penis HIV transmission is very rare, with few if any documented cases. So you were at almost zero risk to start with. Adding PEP should further reduce your risk to near zero. Just follow the advice from the clinic where it was prescribed. A distant forum like this cannot help any further. Good luck.

Question 10

what permanent damage can a 28 day pep course of tenofovir (+ fumarate + emtricitabine) do to one's body? also, how effective would the said combination of drugs be in preventing hiv after 68 hours?

Accepted Answer

Damage is unlikely: It is most effective when started within 72 hours. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most likely short-term side effects. Long-term side effects are not expected. Tenofovir may strain the kidneys or liver - usually in those with kidney disease or hepatitis already - but permanent damage is rare. The risks of long-term organ damage are much more likely from the HIV virus than from this drug

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Doctor answers about:

How effective is PEP

A member asked:

How effective is pep (truvada & isentress) 40 hrs post exposure?

A member asked:

How effective is pep (post exposure prophylaxis) medication? i have read that old mono-therapies were around 80% effective. what about new treatments?

A member asked:

How effective is hiv pep if it started after 60 hours?

A member asked:

How effective is hiv pep if started within 2 hours and transmitting person had a viral load of 40 copies/ml? is pep a myth? percentage that it works?

A member asked:

Can trivada alone be effective as pep?

A member asked:

Hi doctors. i know pep is 80% effective overall if used within 72 hours of exposure. what is the stats or percentage effectiveness if used within 24 hours with 100% adherence?

A member asked:

Can truvada alone be effective a pep? i took truvada alone for the first dose within the 72 hrs at hr 65. the next day i took truvada at the same time as the first dose and 7 hrs later tivicay, would the late start on tivicay make pep ineffective?

A member asked:

Is hiv dna pcr test effective at three weeks of exposure while under pep ?

A member asked:

Thank you for the previous answer doc. while i understand that taking pep ~70hrs post exposure is a "bit late", would it still full under the category of what would be considered effective treatment? it was 68 hours to be precise after oral?

A member asked:

What permanent damage can a 28 day pep course of tenofovir (+ fumarate + emtricitabine) do to one's body? also, how effective would the said combination of drugs be in preventing hiv after 68 hours?

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