Established in 2012, Philadelphia FIGHT’s PrEP program is the first and largest in the city. Our team of medical providers and PrEP coordinators create a personalized care plan that is reflective of you and the life you live. We can provide same-day PrEP starts, virtual visits with at-home testing, ongoing adherence & retention support, and so much more.
What is PrEP?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP can be taken as pills or an injection at a health center every two months. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.
PrEP is for everyone, no matter your gender, how you have sex, if you inject drugs, or if you have insurance.
Starting PrEP takes a few steps:
- Our health center staff will work with you to develop a care plan that’s right for you.
- Visit our lab for a round of bloodwork, including an HIV test, that your healthcare provider will review with you. You need to be HIV-negative to take PrEP.
- Our PrEP Retention Coordinators will assist you with insurance and co-pay navigation, help you make and keep appointments, and check in with you about how your method of PrEP is working for you.
NOTE: You do NOT need to have insurance and/or income to take PrEP or receive care at Philadelphia FIGHT. We will help you keep taking PrEP if your insurance or financial status changes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
PrEP is a medication that blocks the HIV virus from attacking T-cells.
PrEP works by protecting your body’s T cells in your immune system. The medication puts up a protective barrier around these cells so when the HIV virus enters the body, the virus is not able to attack the body’s T cells.
As you take PrEP pills or receive injections, the medication will build up in your system, forming a type of protective shield around your body’s CD4 T cells.
If or when you are exposed to HIV through sex or sharing works when injecting drugs, HIV can enter your body.
When HIV enters the body, it looks for CD4 T cells to attack. HIV uses this specific type of cell to replicate.
Once HIV reaches the CD4 T cells, the virus is unable to replicate. PrEP has created a shield to block replication.
Since the virus cannot replicate, the virus cells die off. This will prevent you from developing an HIV infection.
Taking PrEP is a personal decision. PrEP is one safe, effective method for people who are HIV negative to prevent getting HIV. Taking PrEP is one way to prioritize your own health and sexual wellness. Discuss PrEP with your provider and see if this medication is a good fit for you.
You may benefit from PrEP if you:
- Are sexually active (including vaginal/front hole and anal sex) in a community where HIV is common, like Philly
- Do not use condoms every time you have sex
- Have a sexual partner(s) who is living with HIV or does not know their HIV status
- Share works to inject drugs
- Have a sexual partner(s) who injects drugs
- Trade sex for money or other things of value
- Have been prescribed PEP for reasons relating to sexual encounters or drug use
- Have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past 6 months
Still unsure? Give us a call at (215) 545-PREP and talk to a PrEP counselor today.
Philadelphia FIGHT is committed to providing healthcare services, including PrEP, to all people regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay.
Taking PrEP, including the cost of provider visits, lab work, and medication, is completely covered under Medicaid. Most private health plans cover PrEP at zero or minimal cost to you.
No insurance? Worried that your insurance status may change? Need help paying for PrEP or co-pays? Come see us. We can meet your needs, as well as assist you with applying for any benefits that you may qualify for, including patient assistance and co-pay programs.
There are many options for how to take PrEP!
There are currently two main methods: an oral pill or an injection given at a health clinic. The right form of PrEP for you is the form that you are most likely to use as prescribed.
Oral PrEP (pills): You can take 1 pill once per day to get protected, or you can ask your provider about “on demand” dosing that does not require a pill every day.
There are currently two PrEP pills on the market approved by the FDA:
Injectable PrEP (shots): You can get a regular injection at your health center to get protected – no pills necessary. After you get your first injection, you will come back 1 month later for a follow-up injection. After that, you will receive injections every 2 months.
There is currently one injectable PrEP available, brand name Apretude
Still have questions about PrEP?
Call our PrEP hotline at 215-545-7737, email us at prep@fight.org, or connect with our PrEP team here.
