Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28-day medication course that can prevent HIV if started within 72 hours of exposure. Gilead can process emergency assistance requests in 5-10 minutes and ship medication overnight. If you might have been exposed, don't wait — every hour matters.
If you're reading this because you think you may have been exposed to HIV, start here:
⚠️ Time-Sensitive: What to Do Right Now
Within 72 hours of exposure: Go to the nearest emergency room, urgent care, or sexual health clinic and ask for PEP. If it's after hours, the ER is your best option. If you're uninsured, call Gilead Advancing Access at 1-800-226-2056 — they can process emergency requests in as little as 5-10 minutes and overnight the medication to you.
What Is PEP?
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication taken after a potential HIV exposure to prevent the virus from establishing infection. Think of it as the HIV equivalent of Plan B — a second chance when prevention wasn't in place or didn't work.
The current CDC-recommended PEP regimen is tenofovir/emtricitabine (Truvada) plus dolutegravir (Tivicay) or raltegravir (Isentress). It's highly effective when started promptly — but the clock is critical.
The Clock Matters
PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure to be effective. Earlier is better — ideally within the first 2 hours. After 72 hours, it's considered too late for PEP to work. Every hour you wait reduces its effectiveness.
This is why awareness matters before an exposure happens. Most people learn about PEP only after they need it — and by then, they're scrambling against a deadline they didn't know existed.
Where to Get PEP
Emergency rooms are the most reliable after-hours option. Any ER can prescribe PEP. You don't need to explain every detail — just say you had a potential HIV exposure and need PEP.
Sexual health clinics and urgent care centers can prescribe PEP during business hours. Some cities have dedicated hotlines — NYC operates a PEP Hotline at 844-3-PEPNYC.
Telehealth platforms can prescribe PEP in many states, though the urgency often favors in-person care for the initial prescription.
After PEP, consider PrEP.
If you've needed PEP, you're a strong candidate for PrEP — ongoing prevention so you never need PEP again. MISTR can transition you from PEP to PrEP seamlessly, at $0.
Start Free PrEP with MISTR →Using this code at signup helps us achieve our mission of getting free PrEP out to all who need it.
What PEP Costs — and How to Get It Free
Without insurance, PEP can cost $600 to $4,000+ for the full 28-day course. That's a terrifying number when you're already stressed. Here's the reality:
- If insured: PEP is covered under most plans. Some insurers may require prior authorization, but providers can usually get emergency overrides.
- If uninsured: Gilead Advancing Access (1-800-226-2056) provides free Truvada to uninsured individuals at ≤500% FPL. Emergency requests can be processed in 5-10 minutes with overnight delivery before 5 PM EST.
- Gilead Co-Pay Savings: For insured patients facing copays, covers up to $7,200/year. Phone: 1-877-505-6986.
Do not let cost stop you from starting PEP. Most ERs will start treatment immediately and help you sort out payment afterward.
What Happens After PEP
PEP is 28 days of medication. After completing the course, you'll need an HIV test at 4-6 weeks and again at 3 months to confirm PEP worked. Side effects (nausea, fatigue, headache) are common but usually mild.
More importantly: if you've needed PEP once, you should seriously consider PrEP — the pre-exposure medication you take before potential exposure, so you never need PEP again. PrEP reduces HIV risk by about 99% when taken as prescribed.
From PEP to PrEP — MISTR makes it seamless.
After your PEP course, MISTR can transition you directly to ongoing PrEP. Same provider, same platform, same $0 cost.
Start Free PrEP with MISTR →Using this code at signup helps us achieve our mission of getting free PrEP out to all who need it.
The Most Important Thing You Can Do Right Now
If you haven't been exposed, save this information. Tell people you care about. The 72-hour window doesn't leave time for Googling when the moment arrives. Knowing PEP exists, knowing where to go, knowing that it can be free — that knowledge is the difference between prevention and infection.
And if daily or twice-yearly PrEP makes sense for your life, start that conversation now — before you need PEP at all.
Why wait for an emergency? Start PrEP today.
MISTR provides free PrEP in all 50 states. Get protected before you need PEP. Takes 10 minutes to start.
Start Free PrEP with MISTR →Using this code at signup helps us achieve our mission of getting free PrEP out to all who need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly does PEP need to be started?
Within 72 hours (3 days) of a potential HIV exposure. Sooner is better — ideally within the first 2 hours. After 72 hours, PEP is not considered effective.
Is PEP free?
It can be. Gilead Advancing Access provides free Truvada for PEP to uninsured individuals at ≤500% FPL, with emergency processing in as little as 5-10 minutes. Insured patients should be covered by their plans, and Gilead's Co-Pay Savings covers up to $7,200/year for copays.
What's the difference between PEP and PrEP?
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is taken AFTER a potential exposure — a 28-day emergency treatment. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is taken BEFORE potential exposure — ongoing prevention. If you've needed PEP, you should strongly consider PrEP.