HIV prevention and support

PEPSE

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PEPSE stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis after Sexual Exposure

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PEPSE

What is PEPSE?

PEPSE (Post- Exposure Prophylaxis after Sexual Exposure) is a medication that can be taken up to 72 hours after exposure to HIV to stop you becoming infected.

If you’ve had sex without a condom, or if the condom broke during sex, you may be able to use PEPSE.

It is vital that this medication is given within 72 hours of the potential exposure to HIV as the medication is not effective after this time. The earlier PEPSE can be given the better.

If you’ve had condomless sex and you think you may have been exposed to HIV (if you are not on PrEP) within the last 72 hours, it’s important to get help straight away. Please don’t leave it until the 72 hours are up or nearly up.

What you need to know before starting PEPSE

PEPSE medication needs to be taken for one month after the initial dose to be effective
It can have unpleasant side effects (e.g. nausea and diarrhoea)
PEPSE medication is not 100% guaranteed to work
You will need to be monitored during the month when you take PEPSE and then for another three months afterwards

What happens if I need to have PEPSE?

If you’ve had condomless sex and you think you may have been exposed to HIV (if you are not on PrEP) within the last 72 hours, it’s important to get help straight away. Please go to Whittall Street Clinic (if it’s open) or your local A&E department straight away
The doctor you see will take some blood tests from you, to check for liver function, kidney function, blood count and may test for hepatitis B and syphilis
You will have a HIV test prior to starting treatment, as if you are already HIV+, giving PEPSE may reduce the types of HIV medication which could be used to treat you in the future
The doctor will explain how to take the medication and ask you to sign to say you are happy to take it
You will be asked to attend a further appointment to ensure you are not having any problems with the medication
Once you have finished the month’s course you will have an appointment for blood tests to check your kidney and liver function
After three months you will be asked to come back in for a final HIV test

PEPSE should never be thought of as a substitute for using condoms.

Where do I get PEPSE?

PEPSE must be prescribed by a qualified clinician.

PEPSE is available from Whittall Street Clinic during their opening hours. Call them on 0121 237 5700.
PEPSE is available at the nurse-led clinics at the Birmingham LGBT Centre on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am-5pm. Call us on 0121 643 0821.
Outside of clinic hours, PEPSE can be obtained from hospital A&E departments. Find an A&E department here.

Umbrella Health PEPSE Leaflet

You can read Umbrella Health’s PEPSE Leaflet here.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition in which the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Genital Warts / HPV

Genital Warts (sometimes called anogenital warts) are a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by human papillomaviruses or HPVs.

Gonorrhoea & Drug Resistant Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which affects the liver. It can be passed on in various ways including sexually from some sex acts.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver and is caused by the hepatitis B virus which can be passed on sexually.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection affecting the liver. It has usually been associated with injecting drug use but we now know that it can be passed on sexually, particularly with certain sex practices.

Herpes

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause painful blisters on the genitals and the surrounding areas.

LGV (Lymphogranuloma Venereum)

Lymphogranuloma venereum, or LGV, is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium (a type of germ) from the chlamydia family.

Non Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

NGU is inflammation of the male urethra (water pipe) which can occur due to various causes hence the condition sometimes being called Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU).

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID is the name given to inflammation of female reproductive organs: the womb (or uterus) fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.

Pubic Lice (Crabs)

Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair.

Scabies

Scabies is a common and very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes Scabiei.

Shigella

Shigella is an infectious bacterial infection. It is often a cause of food poisoning but can easily be passed on during sex.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria.

Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV)

TV is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a protozoon called Trichomonas vaginalis, or ‘TV’. Protozoa are tiny germs similar to bacteria.

HIV prevention and support

PEPSE

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Useful Information

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PEPSE

What is PEPSE?

What you need to know before starting PEPSE

What happens if I need to have PEPSE?

Where do I get PEPSE?

Umbrella Health PEPSE Leaflet

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition in which the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted.

Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Genital Warts (sometimes called anogenital warts) are a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by human papillomaviruses or HPVs.

Gonorrhoea is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which affects the liver. It can be passed on in various ways including sexually from some sex acts.

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver and is caused by the hepatitis B virus which can be passed on sexually.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection affecting the liver. It has usually been associated with injecting drug use but we now know that it can be passed on sexually, particularly with certain sex practices.

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause painful blisters on the genitals and the surrounding areas.

Lymphogranuloma venereum, or LGV, is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium (a type of germ) from the chlamydia family.

NGU is inflammation of the male urethra (water pipe) which can occur due to various causes hence the condition sometimes being called Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU).

PID is the name given to inflammation of female reproductive organs: the womb (or uterus) fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.

Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair.

Scabies is a common and very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes Scabiei.

Shigella is an infectious bacterial infection. It is often a cause of food poisoning but can easily be passed on during sex.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria.

TV is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a protozoon called Trichomonas vaginalis, or ‘TV’. Protozoa are tiny germs similar to bacteria.

Useful Information

If you have any enquiries, questions, or if we can help in any way, we’d love to hear from you

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