Get HIV PEP Bangkok: Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV
Table of contents
- Get HIV PEP at H.U.M. Clinic – Sexual Health Clinic Bangkok, Thailand
- Who Should Get HIV PEP Medication?
- How to Get HIV PEP Medication at H.U.M. Clinic
- What PEP Medications Are Provided at H.U.M. Clinic?
- How Much Does HIV PEP Cost?
- What Are the Side Effects of PEP Medication?
- Follow-Up After Finishing HIV PEP
- FAQ About Get HIV PEP Service
Get HIV PEP at H.U.M. Clinic – Sexual Health Clinic Bangkok, Thailand
Finding PEP medication to protect yourself from potential HIV infection can be overwhelming, but H.U.M. Clinic is here to help. As a licensed PEP clinic in Thailand, our experienced doctors have handled over 1000 PEP cases with more than 8 years of expertise. We provide high-standard PEP services based on the most updated US and European PEP guidelines.
Who Should Get HIV PEP Medication?
PEP, or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, is essential for individuals who have had potential exposure to HIV within the past 72 hours. This emergency intervention can significantly reduce the risk of HIV infection in various scenarios, including:
- Broken Condom: During vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
- Unprotected Vaginal Sex: Intercourse without a condom.
- Unprotected Anal Sex: High-risk exposure without a condom.
- Unprotected Receptive Oral Sex: Oral sex without a condom.
- Insertive Oral Sex with Exposure to Blood: Oral sex involving blood contact.
- Needle Sharing or Needle Stick Injury: Using contaminated needles.
- Sexual Intercourse with Known HIV Partner Not on Treatment: Exposure through unprotected sex.
- Exposure to Blood Through Open Wound or Soft Tissue: Direct blood contact with cuts or sores.
- Exposure to Genital Fluid Through Open Wound or Soft Tissue: Direct contact with infected fluids.
- Drug Use, Unconsciousness, or Amnesia During Sexual Activity: Situations involving loss of control or awareness.
Risk Estimates for HIV Acquisition:
Understanding the risk per exposure type can help gauge the necessity of PEP:
- Receptive Anal Sex: 1 in 72 persons
- Insertive Anal Sex: 1 in 909 persons
- Receptive Vaginal Sex: 1 in 2380 persons
- Insertive Vaginal Sex: 1 in 1234 persons
- Injected Drug Use: 1 in 158 persons
- Needle Stick Injury: 1 in 435 persons
- Giving Oral Sex: 1 in 2500 persons
Factors Influencing HIV Transmission Risk:
Understanding these factors and scenarios emphasizes the importance of PEP in preventing HIV transmission after potential exposure.
- Increase Risk:
- High viral load: Increases risk 3x – 10x
- Recent (acute) HIV infection: Increases risk 7x
- Advanced HIV infection: Increases risk 6x
- Presence of STD: Increases risk 3x
- Decrease Risk:
- Condom use
- Male circumcision
- Antiretroviral treatment
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
How to Get HIV PEP Medication at H.U.M. Clinic
Here are the steps of how to get HIV PEP at H.U.M. Clinic
- Make an Appointment:
Contact us via Line, WhatsApp, or call. Making an appointment ensures you receive HIV PEP promptly. Walk-ins are accepted if necessary.
- Physical Visit:
Visit our clinic located in Exchange Tower Building, conveniently connected to BTS Asok and MRT Sukhumvit stations.
- Registration:
Register upon arrival. Anonymous registration is accepted to maintain your privacy.
- Consultation with Doctor:
Consult with our experienced doctors who specialize in sexual medicine and have over 8 years of experience prescribing PEP.
- Risk Assessment:
Undergo a thorough risk assessment conducted by the doctor.
- Blood Sample and STD Screening:
A blood sample will be taken for HIV and STD screening. Testing for HIV as a baseline is crucial to avoid drug resistance if already infected.
- Receive Testing Report:
Obtain your testing report within 15 minutes.
- PEP Information and Instructions:
The doctor will provide detailed information about the PEP medication, including dosage, potential side effects, and guidelines for the duration of the PEP course.
- Initiate PEP Medication:
Begin the first dose of PEP medication as soon as possible.
- Follow-Up Appointments:
Schedule follow-up visits at 4-6 weeks and 12 weeks to monitor progress and ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Support During/After PEP:
Our care for you doesn’t end when you walk out the door. H.U.M. Clinic provides follow-up support to monitor your health throughout the 28-day course of PEP and beyond. We are here to answer any questions, address concerns, and provide the emotional support you may need during this period.
What PEP Medications Are Provided at H.U.M. Clinic?
At H.U.M. Clinic, we adhere to the latest guidelines for HIV PEP medication, ensuring the highest standard of care. Our protocols follow the recommendations from the International Antiviral Society (IAS) – USA, released on December 1, 2022, and the European AIDS Clinic Society (EACS), released in October 2023.
By following these internationally recognized guidelines, H.U.M. Clinic ensures that our patients receive the most effective and up-to-date treatment to prevent HIV infection after potential exposure. Our commitment to these standards underscores our dedication to providing the best possible care in HIV prevention.
HIV PEP Regimen:
The HIV PEP regimen, consisting of 3 medications (1 of each following), comes in forms of a single tablet (3-drug-comination):
- Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) 300 mg or Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) 25 mg: These are potent antiretroviral drugs used to prevent the replication of HIV in the body.
- Emtricitabine (FTC) 200 mg: This works in conjunction with TDF or TAF to enhance the efficacy of the treatment.
- Dolutegravir (DTG) 50 mg or Bictegravir (BIC) 50 mg: Both are integrase inhibitors that prevent the integration of viral DNA into the host genome, a critical step in the HIV replication process.
Dosage and Duration of HIV PEP:
The prescribed regimen involves taking the regimen once daily (ideally at the same time) for 28 days.
How Much Does HIV PEP Cost?
To get HIV PEP medication, patients need a consultation with a doctor, blood and STD tests, and a 28-day course of PEP medicine. In Thailand, obtaining PEP from a pharmacy is illegal because HIV PEP is restricted medication, so you must get it either from hospitals or clinics. We provide both original and generic PEP medication options to suit different budgets and preferences. Here is the overall cost to get PEP at H.U.M. Clinic:
- 3,950 THB (including Doctor Fee, Generic Medication, Mandatory Lab tests)
- 8,950 THB (including Doctor Fee, Original Medication, Full Lab tests)
Cost Overview of HIV PEP:
Understanding the risk per exposure type can help gauge the necessity of PEP:
- Public Health Centers: The cost ranges from 1500-2000 THB, but waiting times can extend to half a day.
- Private Hospitals and Clinics: This option is faster, taking about 30-40 minutes, but is more expensive, ranging from 5000-9000 THB. Ensure that the cost includes lab tests and doctor consultations.
PEP Regimen Options:
The cost of PEP service varies depending on the chosen regimen.
- Generic PEP Medicine: Offers a cheaper alternative while maintaining efficacy.
- Original PEP Medicine: Usually more expensive but can be preferred by some patients.
What Are the Side Effects of PEP Medication?
PEP, which contains anti-retroviral drugs, can cause side effects. Most are mild and improve within a few days. Donsult with your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience and follow their recommendations to manage them effectively. It is also essential to monitor for any adverse reactions and consult your healthcare provider if you experience severe symptoms.
the Common Side Effects of HIV PEP:
These side effects usually happen within the first 3-5 days and get better by time.
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Headache
the Rare Side Effects of HIV PEP:
- Rash
- Neuropathy (numbness, tingling sensation, burning pain)
- Liver or kidney damage
the Severe Side Effect of HIV PEP?
The most severe potential side effect is liver failure, particularly from a hepatitis B virus flare after completing the PEP course. This underscores the importance of thorough testing before starting PEP medication to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Follow-Up After Finishing HIV PEP
First PEP Follow-Up:
- Schedule a follow-up appointment 4-6 weeks after the exposure event, or 1-2 weeks after finishing the last PEP pill.
- Tests include HIV status, Syphilis, Hepatitis, and STD screening.
Second PEP Follow-Up:
- Schedule the final follow-up 12 weeks after the exposure event.
- Repeat the tests to confirm the absence of HIV and other STDs.
Continuing PrEP:
- Discuss continuing PrEP if you have taken PEP more than twice in a year or if you are at high risk of future HIV exposure. Regular PrEP can provide ongoing protection and reduce the need for emergency PEP. Check out the service about How to Get HIV PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) at H.U.M. Clinic.
FAQ About Get HIV PEP Service
No, you don’t need PEP if you on PrEP daily but if you missed your PrEP dose, please consult your healthcare provider you may need to start PEP.
Yes, you can. PEP can be taken each time you have exposure to HIV risk but guideline recommended PrEP for a person who has been taking PEP more than twice a year.
HIV test is recommended after completing the PEP course. Testing during PEP course can give false negatives because anti-retroviral in PEP can suppress viral activity causing a delay of antibody production which make HIV test inaccurate.
No. HIV test has a window period to detect HIV infection means even your sex partner tested negative today cannot confirm your partner status in the past 3 months.
No, PEP will reduce the chance of getting HIV each time. More unprotected sex will increase the chance to get HIV infection and be infected with STD.
If you had unprotected sex at 8 – 21 days after starting HIV PEP, you don’t need to extend you PEP course. However, if the another sexual activity happen before and after that timeframe, you will need to extend your PEP. Please consult your healthcare provider.
You can start PrEP right after complete PEP medication but you will need PEP follow up blood test to confirm your status is negative later for HIV antibody.