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 is up or nearly up.

• 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, 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

• 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 attend Whittall Street Clinic (if it’s within opening hours) 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 positive, 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.

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 our Nurse led clinics at the Birmingham LGBT Centre on Wednesdays from 9.30am-3pm or Thursdays from 12 midday til 6.30pm. 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.

You can read Umbrella’s PEPSE Leaflet here.