APPOINTMENT TO BOOK FOR THIS SERVICE
Choose Standard for a new PrEP assessment or detailed medication review. Brief may suit an uncomplicated repeat prescription when your required pathology results are available and your GP agrees.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medication used by people who do not have HIV to substantially reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. When taken correctly, PrEP is a highly effective prevention option.
At DC Medical Centre, our practitioners can discuss suitability, arrange appropriate screening, prescribe where clinically appropriate and provide ongoing monitoring. Your treatment and follow-up schedule will depend on your circumstances and current Australian prescribing guidance.
PrEP can be appropriate for people of different genders, sexual orientations and circumstances. Your practitioner will discuss your goals, possible exposures, test results and prevention options without making assumptions about your circumstances.
PrEP cannot be started or routinely renewed without the appropriate testing and clinical review. DC Medical Centre follows current Australian PrEP prescribing guidance, including confirming HIV-negative status and monitoring for other health risks.
Please complete requested pathology before your repeat appointment whenever possible. Additional testing may be required before a prescription can be issued.
Before starting and generally every three months during oral PrEP treatment.
Syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia screening at relevant sites, generally every three months.
Baseline assessment, around three months, then generally at least every six months or as indicated.
Hepatitis B and C screening, pregnancy testing or other tests where clinically appropriate.
ASHM, the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine, publishes national evidence-based PrEP guidelines. These explain eligibility, dosing options, baseline testing and ongoing monitoring. Individual requirements can vary according to the medication used and your health history.
Taken regularly as prescribed, daily PrEP is an established option for many people at risk of HIV. Your GP will explain when protection develops and what to do if you miss doses.
Sometimes called 2-1-1 PrEP, this approach is recommended in Australian clinical guidance for certain suitable groups, but it is not appropriate for everyone.
It is not a TGA-approved dosing regimen. Discuss your suitability with a qualified prescriber before considering it.
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) must be started within 72 hours of a potential HIV exposure, ideally as soon as possible.
Do not wait for a routine PrEP appointment. Seek urgent medical assessment through an emergency department, sexual health service or other appropriate urgent care service.
PrEP: HIV prevention used before potential exposure, with scheduled medical monitoring.
PEP: An emergency medication course after a possible exposure, usually taken for 28 days, with follow-up testing and clinical care.
Read the Australian Government-funded healthdirect PEP guide →
Select a Standard appointment for an initial assessment, or a Brief appointment for eligible straightforward follow-up.
Your practitioner arranges relevant pathology and reviews the results before starting or renewing medication as appropriate.
If suitable, your practitioner may issue an electronic prescription and organise the next clinical review and testing schedule.
PrEP medicines may be PBS subsidised for eligible patients. Consultation fees, Medicare rebates, pathology coverage and pharmacy charges depend on your circumstances.
For consultation costs visit our Fees page. A prescription is issued only after an appropriate clinical assessment and is not guaranteed.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is HIV-prevention medication for people who do not have HIV and may be exposed to it. Your GP can discuss your circumstances, eligibility, treatment options and required testing.
Book a Standard Consultation (15 minutes) for an initial PrEP assessment or a more detailed discussion. A Brief Consultation (8 minutes) may suit a straightforward ongoing prescription review after the required tests have been completed and your GP confirms it is appropriate.
Yes. An appropriate HIV test is essential before starting PrEP, along with other baseline screening such as kidney function, hepatitis B and C assessment, and STI testing as clinically indicated. Your GP will determine the tests needed.
For routine oral PrEP, follow-up HIV and STI testing is generally required every three months. Kidney function is assessed at baseline, at around three months and usually at least every six months thereafter, with frequency tailored to individual risk factors and the PrEP regimen.
Your GP may be unable to renew oral PrEP without current HIV testing and any other required monitoring. Arrange your pathology before your repeat appointment so results can be reviewed.
No. PrEP is medication used before potential HIV exposure to reduce risk. PEP is an urgent short course of medication after a possible exposure and must be started within 72 hours. If you may have been exposed, seek urgent care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Seek urgent medical assessment now through an emergency department, sexual health clinic or an appropriate urgent service. PEP works best when started as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, and must begin within 72 hours.
No. PrEP prevents HIV when used correctly, but it does not prevent infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis. STI testing, vaccination and other prevention measures remain important.
On-demand oral PrEP may be suitable for certain patients after individual assessment, but it is not suitable for everyone and the on-demand regimen is not TGA-approved. Do not switch from daily to on-demand dosing without advice from a qualified prescriber.
ASHM is the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine. It publishes the Australian PrEP Guidelines, which provide evidence-based recommendations on assessment, prescribing, testing and follow-up.
The correct advice depends on your regimen, timing, possible exposure and how long you have been taking PrEP. Contact your prescriber promptly for individual advice; a recent potential exposure may need urgent PEP assessment.
Eligible patients may receive PBS-subsidised PrEP, but medication costs, Medicare eligibility and any consultation or pathology fees depend on individual circumstances. Check your eligibility and our current consultation fees before booking.
Tell your GP about fever, rash, sore throat, swollen glands or other symptoms following a possible exposure. Additional testing or specialist assessment may be needed before PrEP can safely be started.
Book a Brief or Standard consultation based on whether you need an uncomplicated review or a new assessment. If you need PEP after a recent possible HIV exposure, seek urgent care immediately rather than booking routinely.
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