The most frequently asked questions

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (in short: PrEP) can be used to efficiently protect against HIV infection.

PrEP only protects against HIV and not against other sexually transmitted infections.

In the case of On demand PrEP take two tablets 2 to 24 hours before sexual intercourse, then one tablet daily at the same time (plus/minus 2 hours). After the last sexual intercourse, continue with one tablet a day for two days. The On demand PrEP is not suitable for women with vaginal intercourse.

In the case of Daily PrEP, the intake begins 7 days before sexual intercourse. Subsequently, the drug is taken daily at the same time.

If you want to stop the Daily PrEP, you should take the medication for another 7 days after the last risky sex. Men can also stop the prophylaxis earlier (after 2 days), women with vaginal intercourse should strictly adhere to the general 7-day period or even extend it to 28 days.

In general, pills should be taken with a light to high-fat meal. This improves the absorption into the body by about one third.

The on-demand PrEP is not suitable for women because the full protective effect is built up more slowly in the vaginal tract. For women, therefore, only the Daily PrEP method is an option.

Emtricitabine/Tenofovirdisoproxil 200 mg/245 mg Mepha. The package contains 30 tablets. This medication is the only generic PrEP approved in Switzerland. It is gluten and lactose free.

As a rule, PrEP is well tolerated. Gastrointestinal disorders are the most common side effects reported, in particular when starting with the prophylaxis. Kidney damage may also occur (regular checks required) and there can be a decrease in bone density.

PrEP guarantees reliable protection against HIV infection. PrEP is most effective when it is used correctly:

With continuous PrEP, it is important to ensure that the medication is taken daily, always at the same time and always with a meal.

With on-demand PrEP, it is important that the two starting tablets are taken early enough (better 24 hours before sex than 2 hours before sex), with a meal, and that the intake of the other tablets after high-risk sex is always continued at the same time (24 and 48 hours after the two starting tablets).

Daily PrEP: After at least 2 days of ingestion, one is protected against HIV. In the case of vaginal intercourse, sufficient protection is achieved only after at least 7 days of intake.

On-demand PrEP: Men are protected if the two tablets have been taken at least 2 hours (and a maximum of 24 hours) before sex.

If you forget a tablet: Infection is unlikely if taken 5-7 days in advance. Nevertheless, make up the intake as soon as possible.

If more than 12 hours have passed before you remember to take a tablet and it is almost time for the next dose, do not take the missed dose but simply continue with the next dose as normal.

PrEP is contraindicated in persons with unknown or positive HIV status, hypersensitivity to the active ingredients or any of the excipients, severe renal dysfunction and those on dialysis. The on-demand PrEP is unsuitable for women and for persons with chronic hepatitis B.

PrEP is a prescription medication. Before starting PrEP, a consultation with a specialist must take place. During this consultation, tests for sexually transmitted diseases are performed, blood and kidney values are checked and the HIV status is determined. In order for us to properly send you the medication, we therefore need a doctor's prescription.

Your data are only processed by Apotheke Schaffhauserplatz AG in line with the information required for storing drug-related data in order to sell mail order medicinal drugs. We treat your data confidentially and do not pass them on to third parties.

By confirming your identity, we ensure that no-one apart from yourself can order and receive PrEP in your name.