If you forgot to take PrEP

PrEP prevents HIV

What do you do if you didn't take your PrEP on time?

  • Did you forget to take a PrEP pill? Then you could get HIV if you have had sex
  • Sometimes you can take your pill a little later. You are then still protected against HIV
  • Sometimes you have to take a different medicine in order not to get HIV: PEP
  • It is possible that you will need to take a HIV test
  • Not sure? Talk to your doctor about what you need to do

Forgotten PrEP?

What happens if you forget to take PrEP?

PrEP is a pill that prevents you from getting HIV when you have sex. Are you taking PrEP? And did you forget a pill? Then you could still get HIV. 

What you have to do

What should you do if you forgot to take PrEP? 

What you should do depends on a few things:

  • How many pills you missed
  • Whether you have had sex
  • Whether you are going to have sex

Forgotten PrEP for 1 day?

Have you been taking one pill every day for at least 7 days? Read what you have to do:

  • Then take this pill anyway. Take 1 pill again the next day, at the fixed time.

  • Have you forgotten 1 pill? And did you take PrEP the 7 days before you forgot? Skip the pill you forgot. Take one pill again the next day at the fixed time.

     

  • Did you take 1 pill every day? And have you forgotten it for more than 2 days? Then you are no longer protected against HIV. Are you going to have sex now? Use a condom.

    Are you going to have sex later? 

    • Take 2 pills instead of 1 within 24 to 2 hours before you are going to have sex.
    • Take 1 pill again the next day at the same time.
    • Keep taking 1 pill every day.

Forgotten PrEP before/after sex?

Do you take PrEP only if you have sex? And did you forget to take it? Read what you have to do:

  • You are not protected against HIV, if:

    • You forgot to take 1 or 2 pills
    • You took your pills less than 2 hours before having sex
    • You took your pills more than 24 hours before sex

    Are you going to have sex soon? Then use a condom during sex. This way you will not get HIV. Have you already had sex without using condoms? Then you might need other medicines (PEP). Call your GGD or hospital to find out if you need PEP.

  • Did you forget 1 or 2 pills after sex? This is what you need to do:

    • Are you less than 12 hours late? Then take the pill. Take 1 pill the next day at the time you forgot to take your PrEP
    • Are you more than 12 hours late? Or did you forget to take PrEP on both days after having sex? Then you are not protected against HIV

Do you need PEP?

Do an HIV test before taking PrEP again

Have you had sex without PrEP? And do you think you might have HIV? If so, you should get tested before you start taking PrEP again. Does the test show that you have HIV? Then you need to take other medicines. This is what you have to do:

  • Get tested for HIV 6 weeks after having unsafe sex
  • Use a condom until you have received the results of your HIV test
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This page was updated on

Don’t forget your PrEP

man is omgeven door uitvergrote corona-virusdeeltjes

If you forget to take your PrEP pills, you could get HIV. With these tips you won’t forget to take your pills so easily.

How to take PrEP
man is omgeven door uitvergrote corona-virusdeeltjes