Let’s start HIV prevention by taking medicine (PrEP)A method to prevent HIV infection by taking medicine in advance
What is PrEP?
PrEP is a way to prevent HIV infection.
You will take medications used to
treat HIV.
*PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a method of preventing HIV infection by taking medicine in advance.
*Please click the link below for information on PEP, which should be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV.
For patients worried about HIV infection (PEP)
Recommended for those who:
- Have sex frequently
- Have ever had a sexually transmitted disease
- Sometimes don’t use a condom during sex
- Are working in the sex industry
Two ways to take PrEP
1) Daily PrEP
Take medicine every day.
Take one pill once a day at the same time.
2) On-demand PrEP
Take medicine before and after sex.
Take two pills 24 hours (no later than two hours) before sex.
Then, take one pill every 24 hours.
If you have sex over a few days, keep taking a pill every 24 hours, then take two doses after the last day you have sex.
*Only for men.
The effectiveness of PrEP is recognized worldwide
PrEP reduces the risk of HIV infection from sex by 99%
when taken on schedule.
Although PrEP is not yet popular in Japan, it is recognized as a highly effective HIV prevention method
worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated “PrEP is recommended as a prevention choice for
people at substantial risk of HIV infection” in its
guideline.
Possible side effects
How does PrEP affect the body?
Since PrEP is a way to continue taking medication, you may be concerned about its effects on your health.
The safety of PrEP is recognized worldwide. In fact, most people don’t experience any side effects, saying “I
even forgot that I’ve been taking PrEP.”
However, side effects vary from person to person. In the short term, some people may experience nausea,
abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, skin rash, etc. These symptoms are mild and go away within a few weeks.
In the long term, kidney function may be affected.
Therefore, national guidelines suggest testing kidney function before starting
PrEP. If there are no problems, you can safely use PrEP.
We will also conduct regular tests even after starting PrEP.
At our clinic, we will test
if PrEP is the safe option for you
before prescribing it.
“SAFE & SECURE” is our clinic’s safety standard.
We will conduct 3-item testing to
confirm if PrEP is the right option for you
before prescribing it.
Implications of pre-prescription testing
HIV test
Firstly, we will check if you are infected with HIV.
Hepatitis B test
PrEP medication is also used in the treatment of hepatitis B.
If you are infected with hepatitis B virus,
there is a risk that your physical condition may worsen depending on how you take medicine. Therefore, you
must take it carefully under a doctor’s guidance.
Kidney function test
Taking kidney function tests is mandatory before starting PrEP.
PrEP may affect kidney function. If you
have kidney function problems, we’re afraid but we won’t be able to prescribe PrEP for your health.
Why PrEP now?
Risk is invisible. Pepare now for the future
In Japan, approximately 3 people are newly infected with HIV every day. You cannot say it will be okay tomorrow just because it has been okay so far. In addition to condoms, consider adding PrEP to your prevention options.
New prevention to get started right away
“HIV prevention” is very important. However, you may not think about it specifically because you inevitably have a negative image of it.
Furthermore, it may be difficult for first-time users to take the first step as they may think “It seems difficult to take…” or “I don’t know what to do first”.
However, starting PrEP is surprisingly easy. If the test results have no issues, you
can start PrEP on the same day.
At our clinic, we will perform thorough examinations and provide detailed guidance so that even first-time users
can get started right away with peace of mind.
PrEP cost
PrEP reception hours: 11:00 a.m. to 0:30 p.m. / 2:30
p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please note that we will not be able to accept patients outside of these
hours.
*Initial consultation fee: 2,750 yen (tax included)
Testing at initial and repeat consultations
●Initial consultation
Testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and kidney function
●Repeat consultations
HIV testing: 1 month after starting medication, and every 3 months thereafter.
Kidney function: Tested
every 12 months. For patients whose kidney function does not satisfy the criteria in the initial consultation,
and for those aged 50 years and over, a test will be conducted 6 months after starting PrEP.
*PrEP is intended to prevent HIV infection and is not applicable for people already infected with HIV.
*PrEP medications will also treat hepatitis B and are not applicable for people already infected with hepatitis B virus.
*Patients with kidney problems cannot take PrEP since it may cause kidney side-effects in very rare cases.
Clinic features
Affordable price
PrEP is an effective HIV prevention method. At our clinic, we offer generic drugs
of the original drugs “Truvada” and “Descovy” at affordable prices.
(The original PrEP drugs are too expensive (approx. 110,000 yen/month) to keep taking.)
About Truvada/Descovy
There are two PrEP drugs: “Truvada” and “Descovy”. Our clinic prescribes generic versions of each. Which is
appropriate for you depends on your gender, sexual partner, and how you take it.
At our clinic, we listen to the patients’ needs and guide them to the appropriate medication according to
guidelines.
Reliable quality
There are cases where individuals import generic drugs from overseas, but there is a risk of purchasing
counterfeit drugs.
Products imported to our clinic are independently analyzed to ensure that the main ingredients are the same as
the official product (not a fake drug).
At our clinic, we use Truvada’s generic “Tenvir EM” and
Descovy’s generic “Tafero”, and both have been analyzed for their composition.
The image above is the
component analysis result of “Tenvir EM” given by Clearize Co,. Ltd. (Reproduction prohibited)
Consultation by a specialist
Doctors from AIDS Clinical Center (ACC) or Department of Infectious Diseases (DCC) at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, and medical professionals specializing in sexually transmitted diseases will assist you. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have.
In-hospital prescription on the same day of consultation
If you visit our clinic directly, everything from consultation to testing to prescription can be offered on the same day.
FAQ
To start PrEP
- At what age can I start PrEP?
- PrEP is recommended for adults aged 18 years and over.
- Can I take PrEP while taking medication for a chronic illness?
- If you have a chronic illness and are taking medication, please let us know before starting PrEP. We will check if your medication may interact with PrEP.
- Can I take PrEP even if I have received the HBV vaccination?
- There is no problem. People who have received HBV vaccination and have antibodies, and people who have recovered from HBV infection and have antibodies can start PrEP.
How to take PrEP pills
- How and when should I take Daily PrEP?
- Take once every day at a set time. Please choose any time that suits you as it is not affected
by meals, etc. However, be sure to take within an hour before or after the scheduled time.
For example, if you decide to take PrEP at 21:00, please make sure to take it between 20:00 and 22:00. - Can I drink alcohol while on PrEP?
- There is no problem to drink alcohol while on PrEP.
- I forgot to take my PrEP. What should I do?
- If you forgot to take PrEP once, take it immediately. From the next day onwards, take it at your usual time.
- How may I stop taking Daily PrEP?
- Please consult with our doctor before stopping PrEP.
PrEP effects and side effects
- What are the chances of preventing HIV infection by taking PrEP? Is there any chance that I get infected while on PrEP? (Daily PrEP)
- Daily PrEP is said to reduce the risk of HIV by 99% when taken on schedule.
However, if you were infected with HIV before starting PrEP but the test result did not show your infection because of the window period, or if you did not take PrEP pills correctly, you may get infected with HIV while on PrEP. - How long does it take for PrEP to be effective after I start taking it? (Daily PrEP)
- PrEP pills are absorbed in the intestines and transported throughout the body by the blood. It is estimated that it takes about 7 days to reach maximum protection from HIV.
- Are there any side effects of PrEP?
- In the short term, some people may experience nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, skin
rash, etc. These symptoms are mild and go away within a few weeks.
In the long term, there may be a decline in kidney function or a decrease in bone mineral density. Therefore, kidney function tests are performed periodically. Bone mineral density may decrease, but it will recover when PrEP is discontinued.
While on PrEP
- Are condoms necessary?
- PrEP can prevent HIV infection, but it does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases. Please use condoms to prevent the infection of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, etc.
- How to store PrEP?
- Store PrEP pills at room temperature and avoid high temperatures and humidity. If you want to take the pills out of the bottle and put them in a pill case for a long time, please use a desiccant.
Access / Opening Hours
Our services in English are open on Monday to Friday 14:30~20:00 and Saturday 11:00~20:00 (except 13:00~14:30),at PRIVATE CARE CLINIC TOKYO in Shinjuku. No appointment needed.
