DESCOVY FOR HIV PREVENTION

​

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a way for people who do not have HIV but who are at substantial risk of getting it to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. The pill (brand name DESCOVY) contains two medicines (tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine) that are used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV.

​

DESCOVY for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is indicated in at-risk adults and adolescents (≥35 kg) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection, excluding individuals at risk from receptive vaginal sex. HIV-1–negative status must be confirmed immediately prior to initiation.

​

How well does PrEP work?

 

Descovy® is a combination of two HIV medications (tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine). These medicines work by blocking important pathways that HIV uses to set up an infection. If you take PrEP daily, the presence of the medicine in your bloodstream can often stop HIV from taking hold and spreading in your body.

 

What does it mean to be PrEP?

 

PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and it's the use of anti-HIV medication that keeps HIV negative people from becoming infected. PrEP is approved by the FDA and has been shown to be safe and effective. A single pill taken once daily, it is highly effective against HIV when taken every day.

 

Is PrEP covered by my insurance?

 

The use of Descovy as medication for HIV prevention, or PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) treatment, and one thing is clear to those who advocate for its use: most private insurance companies, and all state Medicaid programs will cover it.  There are programs for co-payment support and Patient assistance programs.

 

Is Descovy and PrEP the same thing?

 

The only sanctioned medicine (aka PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis) that prevents HIV infection, Not even condoms are approved by the FDA to prevent HIV.

​

How long does it take for Descovy to be effective?

 

It's estimated that it takes at least seven days for PrEP to reach high levels of protection in the body. When used correctly, Truvada for PrEP provides 92%–99% reduction in HIV risk for HIV-negative individuals who take the pills every day as directed.

​

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a way for people who do not have HIV but who are at substantial risk of getting it to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. The pill (brand name Descovy) contains two medicines (tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine) that are used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV.

​

How much does PrEP cost per month?

​

Without insurance, PrEP costs about $1300 per month, plus the added expenses of office visits and lab work. But most insurance providers cover at least part of the drug's cost, since it is generally cheaper to pay for prevention than to cover the costs of treating people infected with HIV.

Most of the time the medication cost is covered by the insurance and added Patient Assistance Program for Descovy.

If your qualify you may be able to get your medication for free through an assistance program system.

​

Eligible patients may pay as little as $0 co-payments with the help of the Advancing Access Co-Pay Coupon Card

 

If you have any questions about getting tested and the assistance program please call our office at 786.686.6187 or email us at info@mybayshoremedical.com and we will be happy to assist you.

​

Is there any limitation to the use of Descovy?

​

Limitation of Use: DESCOVY FOR PrEP™ is not indicated in individuals at risk of HIV-1 from receptive vaginal sex because effectiveness in this population has not been evaluated.

​