HOW IS PEP TAKEN?

HOW IS PEP TAKEN?

PEP should be started as soon as possible after exposure to HIV. The medications used in PEP depend on the exposure to HIV. The following situations are considered serious exposure:

* Exposure to a large amount of blood.
* Blood came in contact with cuts or open sores on the skin.
* Blood was visible on a needle that stuck someone.
* Exposure to blood from someone who has a high viral load (a large amount of virus in the blood).

For serious exposures, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends using a combination of three approved ARVs for four weeks. For less serious exposure, the guidelines recommend four weeks of treatment with two drugs: AZT and 3TC.

In January 2001, the Centers for Disease Control warned against using nevirapine for PEP because of the risk of liver damage. See Fact Sheet 431 for more information on nevirapine. The CDC updated its PEP recommendations in September of 2005.