Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

New research underlines the importance of adherence in the efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

A study published in June of this year involving injecting drug users in Bangkok showed that treatment with PrEP reduced the risk of infection with HIV by almost half.

Investigators presented data to the Kuala Lumpur conference regarding adherence (taking the drugs as prescribed) among the study participants.

This showed that the PrEP had an efficacy of 71% for participants who received their treatment using directly observed therapy (DOT), where clinic staff gave them their treatment and watched them take it.

PrEP had a 70% efficacy for participants who had detectable levels of anti-HIV drugs in their blood, compared to an efficacy of 23% in people without detectable drug levels.

Overall, the results show that the effectiveness of PrEP is closely tied to adherence.

Separate research showed that the use of PrEP during pregnancy appears to be safe.

A study conducted in Kenya and Uganda, involving heterosexual, serodiscordant couples (where one partner is HIV negative and the other HIV positive), found that PrEP reduced the risk of HIV infection by between 62 and 73%. During the course of the study, 10% of the women participating became pregnant.

Although the study wasn’t looking specifically at the safety of PrEP in pregnancy, the babies were exposed to HIV treatment in the womb. There was no difference in pregnancy outcomes – for example, the number of pregnancies, miscarriages or premature births, or rates of low birth weight or abnormalities – between the women treated with PrEP and those taking a placebo. The researchers suggest that more research into the safety of PrEP during pregnancy would be useful.

However, a modelling study suggests that, where the HIV-positive male partner is on effective HIV treatment and certain conditions are met, this is an effective way of preventing HIV transmission to female partners wishing to conceive (‘treatment as prevention’). PrEP doesn’t offer any additional protection.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus.

To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!