“PrEP” is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis, a prevention strategy where people who are not infected with HIV take a daily antiviral medication to prevent HIV infection. Truvada is a once-daily antiviral pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as PrEP. The pill prevents the HIV virus from replicating in the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that men who have sex with men, heterosexually active men and women and injection-drug users who have significant risk for exposure to HIV consider taking PrEP. Many clinical trials have demonstrated that PrEP, in addition to using condoms, is safe and effective at preventing the transmission of HIV.
The HIV PrEP clinic is housed within the Center for Care of Infectious Diseases at UPMC. The clinic is directed by Ken Ho, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and HIV clinician and researcher. The clinic’s mission is to provide the community with access to PrEP, prescribed by knowledgeable providers in a culturally sensitive and stigma-free environment. Services provided include risk assessment, provision of PrEP, HIV/STI testing, case management services and adherence counseling.
If you are interested in seeing a PrEP provider, call 412-647-0996 to make an appointment. The HIV PrEP clinic is located in the Falk Medical Building, 7th floor, 3601 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
Pitt conducts many studies in HIV prevention, including studies of oral and topical PrEP. There is an ongoing study looking at the acceptability of short-term oral PrEP taken during high-risk periods (such as a vacation) for gay men who are HIV negative. The study provides a limited number of Truvada free of charge. Participants are compensated for their time. There are also upcoming studies of investigational products, such as antiviral gels, creams, rings and films that may be used to prevent HIV infection.
If you are interested in learning more about prevention studies at the University of Pittsburgh, please go to: https://www.hivpreventionstudies.com/.
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