HIV Management

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of medication by people without HIV to prevent infection.

What is PrEP?

It’s a combination of two antiretroviral medications commonly used in the treatment of HIV. It reduces the risk of HIV infection with studies showing a 99% reduction if taken every single day.

Who can take PrEP?

It’s most suitable for those at the highest risk of HIV infection.

Any reason I can’t take PrEP?

While most people tolerate the medication quite well it can’t be taken to prevent HIV transmission in people.

• already living with HIV (in which case we would recommend treatment with HIV medication)
• with significant kidney disease
• who are on other medication which affects their kidneys
• allergic to the medication
• taking other medication with the same ingredients

If you are at low risk of HIV transmission, there might not be any point in taking this medication.

Where do I buy PrEP?

PrEP has proven to be an extremely effective way of preventing HIV infection if taken regularly. A study called EPIC NSW (Expanded PrEP Implementation in Communities in NSW) was implemented to provide this medication for thousands of people at risk of HIV in NSW. Green Square Health was a registered trial site, and we were enrolling eligible people.

The trial ended on the 30th of April. If you were already on PrEP via the EPIC trial, please give us a call about the medication you may be eligible for.

PrEP has been available on PBS since the 1st of April 2018. If you do not have a Medicare card you can still take PrEP via a private prescription which and then can be dispensed from a local pharmacy in Australia, or order from an online pharmacy (limited to a 3-month supply at a time). For a list of reputable online pharmacies, visit pan.org.au

How much does PrEP cost?

For patients who hold a valid Medicare card, PrEP is available on PBS. If you are eligible (medium to high risk of HIV infection), then a bottle of 30 tablets will cost $38.50, or $5.40 if you hold a concession card.

If you don’t hold a Medicare card, there’s no reason to worry. You can legally import PrEP medication from overseas with a valid doctor’s prescription from Australia. This can range between $22-$98 a month depending on the pharmacy, and you can order 3 months’ supply at a time.

Sounds great, what do I do next?!

Firstly, we need to make sure there’s no reason you can’t take it, and an HIV test and Kidney function test are necessary. We also take a full STI screen at this time as well.
Once your results have returned, we issue a 1-month supply prescription initially and ask you to repeat the HIV test and Kidney function test a few days before you finish the tablets. Depending on how that month has gone, we might repeat the STI screen too.

If everything is going smoothly, we prescribe a further 2-month supply, and catch up every 3 months for an STI screen, a chat about your ongoing risk and if this has changed in any way, and make sure your kidney function is stable and remains in the healthy range. It is also a great opportunity to check in regarding your overall health, and we’re happy to discuss any urgent or non-urgent medical concerns you might have.

So, if you think PrEP might be right for you, and you want to add it to your arsenal of tools to stay safe, come chat with one of the doctors at GS Health.

Some great information about PrEP is available at https://endinghiv.org.au/nsw/stay-safe/prep/

At Green Square Health we provide the services to look after anyone living with HIV and to get the most out of their treatment.

People on medication for their HIV, often find that they see a specialist a few times a year to keep an eye on things but see their GP for their other healthcare. But at Green Square Health our doctors have undertaken the extra training and have the experience to help diagnose, treat and manage HIV infections.

Progress has come a long way since the early days, and the medical community has learnt a lot quickly. Now living with HIV means a life expectancy similar to someone not living with HIV. And that means we get some of the same issues as we age.

Often people only need to take 1 tablet a day to manage their HIV, and it can be simpler than managing high blood pressure.

Dr Daniel Chanisheff has been certified as an S100 HIV prescriber and can manage and prescribe HIV medication, as well as look after all your general healthcare needs.

We suggest visiting us every 3-4 months to make sure everything is going well and do a sexual health check at the same time.