PrEParing for Preexposure Prophylaxis

In 2012 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Truvada (emtricitabine [FTC] 200 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [TDF] 300 mg) for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV. There was a substantial decline in new HIV diagnoses which has since stabilized.

The plateau is thought to be because preventative efforts are not reaching high-risk groups. About 1.2 million adults in the United States could benefit from PrEP but only 80,000 individuals are taking it. This article aims to increase provider awareness of PrEP so primary care providers feel confident discussing risk reduction options, initiating, and monitoring PrEP.

A case based approached is used to achieve the objective.

Target populations, baseline labs, follow up labs and monitoring parameters, and side effects of medication will be reviewed. Patient counseling with regards to dosing, administration, side effects and adverse events will be discussed.

HIV prevention is an integral public health goal. PrEP is a way to achiveeve continued reduction in HIV incidence. PCPs should be offering PrEP to at risk individuals.

Many nurse practitioners work as primary care providers, this article hopes to increase the confidence of PCPs in prescribing PrEP to those who would benefit from it.