Generic medicines are released after the patent for the brand-name medicine has expired. They contain the same active ingredients, quality, efficacy and safety as the brand-name medicines have. The brand-name PrEP tablets are quite expensive, costing approximately 110,000 JPY for a month. To provide our patients with a more affordable option, we adopt generic PrEP medication.

We adopt generic medicines and strive to offer medications at an affordable price whenever possible. This is because we have a strong desire to promote the availability of HIV prevention medications in Japan for the purpose of promoting social commitment.

Generic medicines of Truvada are common, but recently generic medicines of Descovy are being used more often. Descovy is a newer medicine than Truvada, with fewer known side effects in renal function and bone density. Please consult our doctor for more details.

If you have sex twice a month or more, we recommend daily use. Even if you forget to take it by chance, the daily use reduces the risk of HIV more than on-demand PrEP does.

PrEP can only prevent HIV acquisition but not effective for other STDs. Thus, it is still recommended to use condoms during sex and take other measures to prevent STDs even with PrEP.

Take medication immediately as soon as you realize you’ve forgotten to take it, and resume your medication at the usual time from the following day.

The medicine is in a bottle with a desiccant. Please store the bottle at room temperature. Be careful not to leave it in a cold or warm environment such as in the refrigerator or in a hot car.

PEP involves taking medication “after” a potential exposure to HIV, while PrEP is taken continuously “before” sexual contact to prevent HIV.

Since the introduction of PEP, there have been no reported cases of HIV transmission in advanced countries among healthcare workers who experienced needle stick injuries (accidental self-injection of a needle contaminated with HIV), which is known to entail a higher risk than sexual contacts. Starting PEP as soon as possible significantly increases the effectiveness of HIV prevention.

If you have had a contact or potential exposure to bodily fluids (such as semen, vaginal secretions, blood, etc.) from an HIV-infected individual, it is advisable to consider taking PEP. However, please consult a doctor for a specific assessment.

Generic drugs are released after the patent for the brand-name medication has expired. They contain the same active ingredients, quality, efficacy and safety as the brand-name medication. The brand-name PEP tablets are quite expensive, costing approximately 10,000 yen per tablet. To provide our patients with a more affordable option, we offer generic PEP medication.

We utilize generic drugs to reduce costs and strive to offer medication at an affordable price whenever possible. This is because we have a strong desire to promote the availability of HIV prevention medications in Japan for the purpose of promoting social commitment.

Please check the laws and regulations of your destination, as the regulations may vary depending on countries and regions.

For the sake of patient safety and accurate prescription, we do not offer telemedicine consultations for PEP prescriptions. If you would not be able to start PEP within 72 hours after a potential exposure due to our business hours, please contact us through our official LINE account.

It is not recommended because crushing the tablets may result in a bitter taste, and there is no available data on the absorption when the tablets are crushed.

PEP should be started within 72 hours after a potential exposure, and the earlier it is started, the higher the preventive effect. However, there is no specific time of day designated for taking the medication.

Reported side effects include nausea, insomnia, irritability, dizziness, and others. In most cases, these side effects are mild. If you have any concerns, please consult with our doctors.

If you realize you missed a dose, take one dose as soon as possible. However, if the next regular dose is approaching (typically within 12 hours), skip the missed dose and take one dose at the next regular dosing time. Under no circumstances should you take two doses at once.

There are no specific restrictions. However, it is advised to avoid consuming alcohol before or after taking the medication.

If you vomit after taking the medication, do not take another dose. Once you feel better, try to take the medication at the next scheduled dosing time. Drinking plenty of water may help alleviate nausea.

Please avoid consuming products containing St. John’s Wort, as they may reduce the effectiveness of the medication. Additionally, supplements containing minerals such as aluminum, magnesium, iron or calcium may also diminish the effects of the medication.

PEP necessitates the intake of three different components, and depending on the healthcare institution, multiple medications may be prescribed to cover all three. However, the PEP medication provided at our clinic contains all the necessary components in a single tablet.

The medication we prescribe at our clinic comes in a bottle with 30 tablets, leaving 2 tablets as extras. After completing the 28-day course, please dispose of the remaining tablets. It is acceptable to take the additional 2 tablets over the following 2 days if desired, but there is currently no evidence to suggest that taking a total of 30 tablets enhances the effectiveness.