PrEP Clinic
PrEP FAQs
What is PrEP?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that people at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.
PrEP does not prevent all STIs--just HIV--so frequent testing and monitoring is required.
What about cost?
Kirk’s Pharmacy is contracted with most medical and drug insurance plans, and will work with you to understand coverage. When insurance doesn’t pick up the full costs, we connect you to assistance programs through both PrEP drug manufacturers and the Washington State Department of Health.
Are there different types of PrEP?
There are two medications approved for use as PrEP: Truvada® and Descovy®.
Truvada® is for all people at risk through sex or injection drug use. Truvada is now available as a generic medication.
Descovy® is for people at risk through sex, except for people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex.
Is PrEP safe?
PrEP is safe, though some people experience side effects like diarrhea, nausea, headache, fatigue and stomach pain. These side effects usually go away over time.
Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects that are severe or that do not go away.