What Is PrEP?
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, and it’s a prescription medicine that you take before you come in contact with HIV
Routinely taking PrEP helps reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex. In fact, the CDC recommends all sexually active adults and adolescents be informed about PrEP.
PrEP is:
- For people who are HIV-negative
- For people who may be at risk of getting HIV through sex
- Taking medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider
- Part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy that includes adherence to routine dosing and safer sex practices
PrEP is not:
- Used in emergencies—like if a condom breaks
- A one-time-only strategy
- A prevention method for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy
- For people who are living with HIV
You may benefit from PrEP if:
- You don’t always use condoms
- You had or currently have an STI
- You have sexual partner(s) who don’t know their HIV status
- You have sex in a geographic area or sexual network* where HIV is prevalent
*Your sexual network includes you, any current and past partners, plus all of their partners (and so on).
Talk to your healthcare provider to discuss if PrEP may be right for you.
In Black and Latino communities across the US, rates of PrEP use are low compared to rates of HIV diagnoses†:
†Source: CDC, 2023.
Only 14% of PrEP users in 2023 were Black,
even though Black people made up
39% of new HIV cases in the prior year.
Hear real PrEP users talk about PrEP in the Black community
Hear real PrEP users talk about PrEP in the Black community
TEXT ON-SCREEN:
REAL CONVERSATIONS: PrEP IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY
PrEP users compensated by Gilead.
TEXT ON-SCREEN:
LAMONT
PrEP user since 2020
EVERETT
PrEP user since 2019
LAMONT:
Last time we spoke, you mentioned that there was, between your Black and white friends, they had different views if PrEP was for them. Do you still feel that same way?
EVERETT:
Yeah. I think it rolled out differently in the Black gay community. I definitely got funny looks from some of my Black gay friends who didn’t seem to be educated about PrEP medications early on.
Since then, things have seemed to changed a bit. From what I’ve seen, some people in my Black community in Atlanta have started to be more informed about PrEP, which I think has helped to drive some of those changes in the perceptions of it. I think it helps having people they can relate to, like us, sharing our stories.
The more they can see someone who is similar to them associated with PrEP and HIV prevention, the more they can start to change perceptions and stigma around PrEP.
What do you think? Do you think there’s still a lot of stigma? I mean, what do we do about that part?
LAMONT:
Yes. I think…there’s a lot of stigma. I’ve heard people say that PrEP is for people who want multiple partners, which in my opinion, isn’t true. People need to educate themselves on their options.
EVERETT:
Yes. Knowledge is power.
LAMONT:
Absolutely. So, what’s your opinion, what do you think about stigma? What can we do about it?
EVERETT:
There’s this idea that taking medicine is hard, and I hear a lot of people like, oh I don’t want to do that. Or I’ve certainly heard some of my Black friends say, oh I don’t know if that’s for me.
LAMONT:
I do believe that there is a lack of knowledge on that subject.
I think healthcare providers, they can build more rapport with their patients, you know, to help create that safe space for them to talk about their sexual health.
EVERETT:
Yeah, yeah, like creating that moment, safe space, and that time to like ask some questions, like feel like you can talk about sex. It’s not always the most comfortable thing, right?
LAMONT:
I agree with what you’re saying.
I actually spoke to my healthcare provider—they didn’t know anything about PrEP.
EVERETT:
So you like, educated him and then he learned about it.
LAMONT:
Yes.
EVERETT:
I definitely think that sometimes talking to a healthcare provider about HIV and sex can be a barrier itself because sometimes, you know, you get those like disparaging looks or those questions, right, about why are you having multiple sex partners or why do you even need PrEP? Why are you asking me that, right? It’s just those looks and those moments that we kind of, like we read them so intensely from physicians and they often think it’s just a question or it’s just like a check-mark asking you about your sexual behavior. But it turns you off. Like, right? You're just like, okay, maybe I'm out. I'm not going to ask about PrEP anymore, right?
LAMONT:
That's why most Black people rather not ask questions.
These are people, and they deserve to be able to come to a place and feel safe to talk about things and be able to get that knowledge regardless of race, sexuality, or anything like that.
EVERETT:
And like more policies in that space to where physicians just get to automatically ask, are they interested in PrEP? You know, sort of, maybe removing some of those potentially judgmental questions.
TEXT ON-SCREEN:
Talk to a healthcare provider to see if PrEP may be an option for you.
EVERETT:
That’s something I always think we can do to kind of change it and like just push us forward a bit more.
TEXT ON-SCREEN:
Talk to a healthcare provider to see if PrEP may be an option for you.
LAMONT:
Absolutely.
TEXT ON-SCREEN:
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GILEAD and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. ©2025 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-DVYC-0234 02/25
Only 18% of PrEP users in 2023 were Latino,
even though Latino people made up
31% of new HIV cases in the prior year.
Hear real PrEP users talk about PrEP in the Latino community
Hear real PrEP users talk about PrEP in the Latino community
TEXT ON-SCREEN:
REAL CONVERSATIONS: PrEP IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY
PrEP users compensated by Gilead.
TEXT ON-SCREEN:
KEVIN
PrEP user since 2020
SERGIO
PrEP user since 2020
SERGIO:
I think there’s a low uptake of…PrEP in the Latinx community because people don’t know how to talk about it or, more importantly, don’t know the resources they can use to make sure they make the right decision for them.
KEVIN:
I agree 100%.
SERGIO:
Where I grew up in Texas, there’s definitely a lack of education around PrEP, especially in the Latinx community. Growing up, did you have a similar experience?
KEVIN:
Yeah. I definitely had a similar experience. I felt like I couldn’t really go to a lot of the people closest in my life because they were just void of any PrEP knowledge themselves. It was a lot of relying on friends and having to kind of self-explore to…
SERGIO:
Yeah.
KEVIN:
…get the information that I needed. You know what I mean.
SERGIO:
I know what you mean.
KEVIN:
But coming from El Paso, I want to hear more about you and your experience.
SERGIO:
Well, El Paso being so conservative compared to other cities I lived, I think some people may still be hesitant and unsure of how to ask their healthcare providers about HIV prevention. I tell them it’s not that big a deal. Talk to their provider. They’re here to help. Nothing you say will shock them.
KEVIN:
Exactly. I do think seeing people that look like you and speak like you in the same language, or otherwise, goes a really long way in just having it resonate with them on a personal level. You know, to clear sort of, biases and stigmas, and all of that and just kinda go for it. It feels very accessible in an authentic way. So, I think that’s vital.
SERGIO:
When I saw you, I was like, definitely, that’s someone I can relate to, and I’m on the same path as he is. So, it will make others feel that there’s a community out there without even knowing each other.
KEVIN:
Definitely.
SERGIO:
So, tell me Kevin, you know about the stigmas, especially in the Latinx community, about taking PrEP. But what’s your experience, and what do you think needs to change?
KEVIN:
I think there’s a lot of stigma about being on PrEP medications and how some people perceive that as being promiscuous. Some think being on PrEP is a license to be irresponsible, which obviously isn’t the case. I’ve had friends that won’t tell their families they’re taking it because they don’t want to deal with the reaction. And I experienced this PrEP stigma firsthand with doctors I saw before I found my current provider who I’m working with.
SERGIO:
Definitely, being a Latino gay man on PrEP is a stigma in itself. We overcome obstacles on a daily basis, whether it be in our relationships, work, or even our own community.
TEXT ON-SCREEN:
Talk to a healthcare provider to see if PrEP may be an option for you.
KEVIN:
I want everyone to know that they shouldn’t let societal pressures, or even family pressures, deter you from talking to your healthcare provider about your HIV prevention options.
TEXT ON-SCREEN:
[GILEAD logo]
GILEAD and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. ©2025 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-DVYC-0233 01/25
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends clinicians offer PrEP to individuals who may have a higher chance of getting HIV.
In 2019, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a Grade “A” recommendation for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medications, strongly recommending clinicians provide PrEP services to eligible patients.
When services and items like prescription medicines receive a Grade A or Grade B recommendation from USPSTF, the Affordable Care Act requires coverage by certain insurance plans‡ with no cost sharing by individuals for the medicine.
For PrEP medications, under the Affordable Care Act, plans should accommodate individuals for whom a particular PrEP medication (generic or brand name) would be medically appropriate, as determined by the individual’s healthcare provider. In addition, PrEP-related lab tests and other services, such as adherence counseling, may also be covered without cost sharing by certain insurance plans.
‡All non-grandfathered commercial payers and Medicaid expansion plans.
§Gilead is not affiliated with PleasePrEPMe.
DESCOVY for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a once-daily prescription medicine for adults and adolescents at risk of HIV. It helps lower the chances of getting HIV through sex.
DESCOVY for PrEP is not for everyone. It is not for use in people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied. You must be HIV-negative before and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP.
DESCOVY for PrEP is not for everyone:
- It is not for use in people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied.
- You must be HIV-negative before and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP.
Talk to a healthcare provider to see if DESCOVY for PrEP may be an option for you.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about DESCOVY for PrEP?
Before and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP:
Tap for Important Safety Information, including important warnings on the risk of drug resistance if you become HIV-positive and only take DESCOVY, and worsening of hepatitis B infection.
- You must be HIV-negative before you start and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP. You must get tested for HIV-1 immediately before and at least every 3 months while taking DESCOVY. If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. They may want to do more tests to confirm that you are still HIV-negative.
- Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or while taking DESCOVY. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin.
- DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1.Do not take DESCOVY for PrEP unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative.
- DESCOVY does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to reduce the risk of getting STIs.
- To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1:
- Do not miss any doses of DESCOVY. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1.
- Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. If your partner is living with HIV, your risk of getting HIV is lower if your partner consistently takes HIV treatment every day.
- Get tested for other STIs. Some STIs make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about all the ways to help reduce HIV risk.
DESCOVY can cause serious side effects:
- Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health or give you HBV medicine.
Who should not take DESCOVY for PrEP?
Do not take DESCOVY for PrEP if you:
- Already have HIV-1 or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you have HIV-1, you need to take other medicines with DESCOVY to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only DESCOVY, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat now and in the future.
What are the other possible side effects of DESCOVY for PrEP?
Serious side effects of DESCOVY may also include:
- Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with DESCOVY. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY.
- Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.
- Severe liver problems , which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark "tea-colored" urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.
Common side effects in people taking DESCOVY for PrEP are diarrhea, nausea, headache, fatigue, and stomach pain. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking DESCOVY for PrEP?
- All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis.
- All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. DESCOVY may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Important Facts about DESCOVY for PrEP, including important warnings.
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