The efficacy of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV

Key take-home messages

• PEP initiated soon after exposure can reduce the risk of HIV seroconversion after occupational and non-occupational exposures, provided adherence to medications is sufficient.
• Evidence suggests that individuals prescribed tenofovir-based two- or three-drug regimens are more likely to complete a course of PEP and have lower discontinuation rates due to adverse events compared to zidovudine-based regimens.
• Guidelines from Canada and the U.S. most commonly recommend a 28-day regimen of oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (300mg/200mg) once daily plus raltegravir (400mg) twice daily for adults and adolescents as a preferred first-line regimen for both occupational and non-occupational PEP.
• The World Health Organization makes recommendations for PEP regimens based on differences in accessibility between high- and low-income settings.

• Population(s)
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Children or Youth (less than 18 years old)
  • General HIV+ population
• Prevention
  • Biomedical interventions