HIV Emergency Prevention Medication (PEP)
What is included:
– HIV test (same-day)
– Hepatitis B test (same-day)
– Syphilis test (by email)
– Renal function test (by email)
– 1 bottle of PEP (30 tablets*) Tuffic
*Take 1 tablet daily for 28 days. 2 tablets are spares.
For those living far away, we offer telephone consultations and a delivery service.
What is PEP?
PEP refers to a medication, and the prevention method using it, that can prevent HIV infection when taken within 72 hours after an activity carrying a risk of HIV infection.
– You had sex without a condom
– The condom came off during sex
– You had sex with an unspecified number of partners
– The person you had sex with was infected with HIV
– You were the victim of sexual assault
– You are a healthcare worker and had a needlestick injury
– Cases where the person you had sex with is confirmed to be HIV negative
– Cases where you are already HIV positive
– Those who test positive on the rapid hepatitis B test we perform before prescribing PEP (because hepatitis B may worsen)
Process up to Prescription
In-person prescription of PEP takes approximately 30 minutes, from arrival at the clinic through payment.
Visit within 72 hours of the risk activity
You are welcome to visit without an appointment. Please tell the reception desk that you would like PEP (pronounced “pep”).
Medical interview and consultation
The doctor determines whether PEP is indicated.
Testing
A blood test is performed to confirm that you are not infected with HIV and that there is no problem with you taking anti-HIV medication.
Doctor's explanation and signing of the consent form
The doctor will explain the off-label use of anti-HIV medication, and you will sign a consent document.
Prescription of PEP
The medication is handed to you at the reception desk when you pay, so please start taking it.
Follow-up
One month after you start taking the medication, follow-up tests (HIV, hepatitis B and renal function tests) are performed. If performed at our clinic, testing is available for 3,000 yen (tax included).
For highly urgent PEP prescriptions, such as when more than 72 hours have passed since exposure and regular consultation is not possible, please contact us via our Official LINE.
Prices
By using generic PEP, we have achieved a safe introduction of PEP that keeps the burden on patients to a minimum.
With brand-name PEP, you would take 28 tablets of medication costing around 10,000 yen per 1 tablet, which is extremely expensive (approx. 300,000 yen including the initial consultation fee and testing costs).
We have introduced generic PEP, and treatment is completed for less than 1/4 the price of the brand-name product, including aftercare.
(Price) = (Consultation fee) + (Set price) + (Optional charges)
– Consultation fee: 2,500 yen for a first visit, 1,000 yen for a follow-up visit (tax included)
– A doctor’s consultation is always required for a PEP prescription.
What is included:
– Generic medication, 30 tablets (2 tablets are spares)
– HIV test (same-day)
– Hepatitis B test (same-day)
– Syphilis test (by email)
– Renal function test (by email)
Payment can be made by cash, credit card or various types of electronic money.
For those taking PEP, we provide specialist support from the risk activity until an HIV-negative result is confirmed, including mental health care as well as any additional testing needed depending on the circumstances of the exposure.
At the start of PEP and after taking it, testing for other STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia can be performed at a special price.
Only for those who have purchased a PEP set, we offer the following tests at a special price for 1 month from the PEP purchase.
＼For those also worried about other STIs／
Gonorrhea and chlamydia (3 sites: genitals, throat and anus): 3,000 yen (normally 20,000 yen)
Vaginal discharge test (vaginal candidiasis, trichomonas and bacterial vaginitis): 3,000 yen (normally 4,500 yen)
The PEP-only options are valid only for 1 month after the PEP purchase.
Follow-up testing 1 month after taking PEP can be performed at the special prices below.
HIV, hepatitis B and renal function tests: 3,000 yen (tax included)
HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis and renal function tests: 5,000 yen (tax included)
For patients who have purchased PEP at our clinic, we accept any questions via LINE 24 hours a day, such as how PEP combines with other medications or how to take PEP. Please feel free to contact us.
FAQ
What is the difference between PEP and PrEP?
PEP prevents HIV by taking medication "after" sexual intercourse that may carry a risk of HIV infection, while PrEP prevents HIV by taking medication continuously "before" sexual intercourse. If you would like a PrEP prescription, please see here.
How effective is PEP treatment?
Since PEP became available, there has not been a single case of infection in developed countries since 2000 from needlestick injuries among healthcare workers (accidents in which a needle used on a person with HIV is accidentally stuck into oneself), which carry a higher risk than sex.
By starting PEP as early as possible, HIV can be prevented with a high probability.
I am unsure whether to take PEP. Do I need it?
If you have had, or may have had, contact with the bodily fluids of a person with HIV (semen, vaginal secretions, blood, etc.), you should consider taking it, but please consult with a doctor regarding the specific decision.
What is the difference between generic and brand-name medication?
A generic (later-released drug) is a medication released after the patent on the brand-name product expires, with active ingredients, quality, efficacy and safety equivalent to the brand-name product.
The brand-name PEP is extremely expensive at around 10,000 yen per 1 tablet, so we use generics in order to provide it to patients at a low price.
Why is it cheaper than at other clinics?
We keep costs down by using later-released drugs (generic medication).
Also, out of a desire to see HIV prevention medication become widespread in Japan as well, we provide it as inexpensively as possible.
May I crush the tablets before taking them?
If taken crushed, they taste bitter. In addition, there is no data examining absorption and other factors when the tablets are crushed, so we cannot recommend it.
Is there a set time to take the medication?
It must be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of the occasion on which infection may have occurred, and the earlier it is taken, the higher the preventive effect is said to be. There is no particular time specified.
Are there any side effects?
Nausea, insomnia, irritability, dizziness and similar effects have been reported.
In most cases they are mild, but if you have any concerns, please consult with a doctor.
I forgot to take my morning dose. What should I do?
If you notice that you have missed a dose, take one dose as soon as you notice. However, if the next regular dosing time is near (as a guide, within 12 hours), do not take it and instead take one dose at the next regular dosing time. You must never take 2 doses at once.
Is there any effect from food? Are there any drinks I must not have?
There is nothing in particular. As a rule, please avoid drinking alcohol before and after taking the medication.
I vomited after taking the medication. What should I do?
If you have vomited, avoid taking it again. After vomiting, if you feel better before the next scheduled dosing time, make an effort to take it. Taking it with plenty of water may ease the nausea.
Are there any over-the-counter medicines or health foods that must not be taken together with it?
Foods containing St. John's wort may reduce the effect of this medication, so please refrain from them. In addition, supplements and similar products containing minerals such as aluminum, magnesium, iron or calcium may reduce the effect of this medication.
I read an article on the internet stating that PEP is 2 tablets. Is 1 tablet all right?
PEP requires taking 3 types of components, and depending on the medical institution, 2 or more medications may be prescribed together to cover all 3 types. What we prescribe contains all 3 necessary components in 1 tablet.
What are the "spare" tablets?
The generic medication we prescribe comes 30 tablets per bottle, so the remaining 2 tablets are spares. After taking it for 28 days, please discard them. You may take an additional 2 days' worth, but at present there is no evidence that taking 30 tablets increases the effect.
We also provide testing, treatment and prevention for STIs.