Pep Facts

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

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Treatment After Exposure to HIV

For serious exposures, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends using a combination of three approved ARVs for four weeks. For less serious exposure, the guidelines recommend four weeks of treatment with two drugs: zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT) and lamivudine (Epivir, 3TC). In January 2001, the Centers for Disease Control warned against using nevirapine (Viramune) for PEP because of the risk of liver damage. See Fact Sheet 431 for more...

Ask the Experts

Please help me Dr. Bob, please PCR/PEP (PCR TESTING WHILE TAKING PEP)

Dear Dr. Bob,First of all i just want to give you my deepest respect and thanx for this great service. You are an amazing person and an inspiration to me. I have spent a lot of time on this site in the last month...Why... Dr. Bob, (long story short)...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,Yes, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can affect PCR test results. PEP is a combination of antiretroviral drugs used in exactly the same dosage that we use to treat active HIV infection. Therefore, these drugs can inhibit HIV replication and... Read more »

PEP RELATED SIDE EFFECTS (PEP AND THE NEED FOR HIV SPECIALIST) (HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES FOR MAGNETIC COUPLES, 2009)

Hi Doc,My wife got exposed to me ( Am hiv+ while she's -ve)through a condom break.She was put on combivir and Efavirenz but after 3 days she had serious side effects and our Doc changed her regimen to Combivir only. It's been 7 days since...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,I would advise your wife to immediately seek a second opinion form a more competent HIV specialist. Her current symptoms are most likely due to the AZT component of her Combivir. (It's one of the reasons I no longer recommend this drug... Read more »

Missed Dose & PEP

I started PEP (1 Sustiva at night and 2 Trivizir at 12 hours each) 15 days ago for high risk sexual exposure. Last night, I forgot to take my Sustiva and Trivizir combo. This morning I did not immediately take the Sustiva because I needed to be at...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,Nope! Although it's obviously preferable to take all the doses, missing one Sustiva will not ruin PEP. In fact, a four-drug regimen Trizivir (Retrovir, Epivir and abacavir) plus Sustiva is quite aggressive for PEP. Many physicians use only... Read more »

PEP not? Urgent! Please....

I have been reading your achieve quite frequently and you are indeed a noble soul!10 days ago i have an unprotected insertive oral sex from a gal at a private club. The ordeal was less than a minute and as soon as i realized, i stopped the whole...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,I would advise you discontinue PEP. In fact, I would not have advised you ever begin PEP for the type of potential risk you describe. As for HIV testing, yes, a three-month test would be considered definitive.Good luck.Dr. Bob... Read more »

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Connect With Others

I'm trying not to scare anyone, but facts are fact

Posted by Anonymous, 6 Replies

In fact I'm not trying to scare anyone, and I don't want to make a kid's game out of the Bulletin Board. I'm just trying to make everyone realize that 99,9% of people doesn't cover all individuals, when talking about tests... I'm sure that 999 of... Read more »

PEP

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Is there anywhere I can read about the effect of PEP on the anti-body test. Some doctors seem to think it slows down the production of detectable antibodies if the virus survives. Anyone found anything on this? Read more »

PEP

Posted by je5872, 2 Replies

has anyone ever taken PEP. I began taking PEP 4 hrs post exposure. I was top with hiv+ guy on no meds when condom broke. i immediately washed and urinated. Has anyone had this experince? do they feel the PEP was effective? Read more »

PEP and testing for G-Man

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

G-Man -

I have lifted a quote of yours from another post:

"If you are actually infected the disease will start replicating immediately and that is where ARS comes from in the 2 to 6 week range. The only things that can delay replication is PEP or... Read more »

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