HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis information for health professionals

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of antiretroviral medications (co-formulated tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine) by a HIV-negative person to prevent HIV infection.

PrEP is safe and highly effective at preventing HIV transmission when taken as prescribed.

PrEP is different to PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) – PrEP needs to be taken as recommended BEFORE a potential exposure to HIV, whereas PEP is taken within 72 hours AFTER a possible exposure to HIV.

PrEP medications are registered in Australia with the Therapeutic Goods Association and listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as a General Schedule item (Streamed Authority) meaning all general practitioners, other medical specialists and authorised nurse practitioners can prescribe PrEP for HIV prevention.

No specialist training is required to prescribe PrEP. However, ASHM Health provide resources, training, guidelines and clinical decision support tools for clinicians who are new to prescribing PrEP.

For more information about PrEP including training, guidelines and other resources:

PrEP prescribers

To contact a health professional with experience in prescribing PrEP in South Australia, please contact:

You can also find a prescribing doctor or nurse practitioner on the following websites:

U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable)

People living with HIV who are on effective antiretroviral treatment medications, and maintaining an undetectable viral load, cannot sexually transmit HIV. This is known as treatment as prevention or U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable). An undetectable viral load can also significantly reduce the risk of transmission of HIV via injecting and breastfeeding.

For more information about U=U:

Doxy-PEP (Doxycycline Post Exposure Prophylaxis)

Doxy-PEP is an oral dose of an antibiotic called doxycycline, which is taken within 72 hours (3 days) of having sex (oral, anal, or vaginal) to protect against syphilis and chlamydia.

Doxycycline is a safe and common medication used to treat certain infections, control acne, and prevent malaria. It does not work against viral infections such as HIV or herpes.

Doxy-PEP is recommended as an STI prevention strategy for some groups, including people taking HIV PrEP. 

For more information: Doxy-PEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis).