National HIV/STI/TB Programme

Government of Jamaica 

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What is Prep?

PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is a pill that protects a person from getting HIV. PrEP uses antiretroviral medication to prevent an HIV-negative person from getting the virus. As such, you must be HIV negative to take PrEP. PrEP only prevents HIV and should be used in combination with other prevention methods such as condoms.


How does it work??

PrEP should be taken as directed before having sex. When taken properly, it is over 90% effective in preventing the transmission of HIV. Jamaica currently offers two types of PrEP regime:
  1. Daily Oral PrEP – For this dosage one PrEP pill is taken daily. The PrEP pill becomes effective after the seventh day. As such, you must start taking the pill seven days before sex. If you are going to stop taking the pill, you must continue taking it for an additional seven days after the last time you had sex
  2. Event-Driven (ED) PrEP – Two PrEP pills should be taken between 24 to 2 hours before sex. Another (one) PrEP pill should be taken 24 hours after sex and the final pill taken 48 hours after sex. In total, you should have taken four (4) PrEP pills; 2 before sex and 2 after sex. This dosage is only effective for men.

Who should take PrEP?

PrEP should be taken as directed before having sex. When taken properly, it is over 90% effective in preventing the transmission of HIV. Jamaica currently offers two types of PrEP regime:
  1. Persons who are HIV negative.
  2. People who have more than one sex partner.
  3. People in sero-different relationships. This is when one partner is HIV positive and the other is HIV negative. The HIV negative partner should take PrEP to help prevent transmission of the virus.
  4. People who have ever had sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example; chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis.


Does PrEP have side-effects?

Less than 10% of people reported having side effects. The common side effects are:
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
If side effects persists more than two weeks, you should contact your doctor or visit the nearest health facility.


Is PrEP safe?

Studies show that PrEP is safe. PrEP is safe to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. You can also take PrEP with contraceptives and other common medication.

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