How effective is PrEP?
PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.
PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed.
Although there is less information about how effective PrEP pills are among people who inject drugs, we know that PrEP pills reduce the risk of getting HIV by at least 74% when taken as prescribed. Currently, PrEP shots are not recommended for people who inject drugs.
PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed.
In other words 99% effective does not mean you have a 1% chance of contracting HIV. It means your risk of contracting HIV is 99% lower than it would be if you weren’t on PrEP.
