PrEP Medication: brands, names, cost & side effects
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine an HIV-negative person takes to stay HIV-negative. Taken as prescribed it lowers the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%. This guide covers every brand, how well each works, dosing, who qualifies, cost, and side effects — with links to a full deep-dive for each medicine.
💊 What is PrEP?
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis — “prophylaxis” means prevention. It’s a daily pill or a long-acting injection taken before possible exposure so that, if HIV enters the body, the medicine stops it from taking hold. PrEP is for people who are HIV-negative; it is different from PEP, which is emergency medicine started after a possible exposure.
🏷️ PrEP medication names & brands
There are four FDA-approved PrEP medicines (plus a way of using Truvada on demand). Here are the brand names, generic names, and who makes them:
| Brand | Generic name | Form | Maker | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truvada (+ generics) | emtricitabine / tenofovir DF (TDF/FTC) | Daily pill | Gilead + generics | Truvada → |
| Descovy | emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide (TAF/FTC) | Daily pill | Gilead | Descovy → |
| Apretude | cabotegravir (CAB) | Injection / 2 months | ViiV Healthcare | Apretude → |
| Yeztugo 2025 | lenacapavir | Injection / 6 months | Gilead | Options → |
| “2-1-1” | on-demand Truvada (TDF/FTC) | Pills around sex | — | Options → |
📈 How does PrEP work, and how well?
PrEP builds a protective level of medicine in the cells HIV would try to infect, so the virus can’t establish an infection. The key is taking it consistently:
- From sex: about 99% lower risk of getting HIV when taken as prescribed.
- From injection drug use: at least 74% lower risk.
- Injections (Apretude, lenacapavir) give very high protection when given on schedule — helpful if daily pills are hard.
- Protection drops sharply if doses are missed — see missed-dose guidance.
📅 PrEP dosage — how you take it
| Option | How to take it |
|---|---|
| Truvada / Descovy | One tablet, every day, around the same time. |
| Apretude | Two starter injections one month apart, then every 2 months at a clinic. |
| Lenacapavir (Yeztugo) | An initiation schedule, then an injection every 6 months. |
| 2-1-1 (on-demand) | 2 pills 2–24 h before sex → 1 at 24 h → 1 at 48 h. Anal sex, MSM only |
⚕️ PrEP side effects (overview)
Most PrEP side effects are mild and short-lived — nausea, headache, tiredness in the first weeks that usually settle within a month. The things worth monitoring differ by medicine:
Read the full PrEP side effects guide — by drug, by body area, and how long they last.
Have a specific symptom? Our interactive body-map tells you what’s expected on PrEP versus what needs attention — and you can build a PDF report for your provider.
🧩 Managing side effects & everyday questions
Short, practical, medically-reviewed guides for the day-to-day realities of taking PrEP:
✅ Who qualifies for PrEP?
US guidelines say PrEP should be offered to anyone who is HIV-negative and asks for it, and actively recommended if any of the following apply:
- A sexual partner who has HIV (especially if not virally suppressed).
- Condomless anal or vaginal sex with partners whose HIV status you don’t know.
- A bacterial STI (like syphilis, gonorrhoea or chlamydia) in the past 6–12 months.
- Sharing injection-drug equipment.
- You’ve used PEP and remain at ongoing risk.
Ready to start — or switch?
See how to get a prescription (including telehealth), what PrEP costs, and how to lower it with assistance programs.
❓ PrEP medication — frequently asked questions
What are the most common brands of PrEP in the US?
Truvada (and its generics), Descovy, Apretude and — since 2025 — Yeztugo (lenacapavir). Truvada/generics and Descovy are daily pills; Apretude and Yeztugo are injections.
What is the daily pill for HIV prevention called?
The daily PrEP pills are Truvada (or generic emtricitabine/tenofovir DF) and Descovy. One tablet a day.
How effective is PrEP?
About 99% effective at preventing HIV from sex when taken as prescribed, and at least 74% from injection drug use. Missing doses lowers protection.
Which companies make PrEP?
Gilead Sciences makes Truvada, Descovy and Yeztugo; ViiV Healthcare makes Apretude. Generic Truvada is made by several manufacturers.
Is PrEP a prescription drug?
Yes — it’s prescription-only and includes a negative HIV test before starting plus routine follow-up (usually every 2–3 months). See how to get PrEP.
Can women take PrEP?
Yes. Truvada, Apretude and lenacapavir are all approved for vaginal exposure. Descovy and 2-1-1 on-demand dosing are not approved for vaginal sex.
Can I buy PrEP online?
PrEP is available through licensed telehealth services that prescribe it and arrange local pickup or delivery, with the required lab tests. Only use licensed providers — avoid buying HIV medication from unverified online sellers. See how to get PrEP.
Does PrEP protect against other STIs?
No — PrEP only prevents HIV. Use condoms and regular STI testing; ask your provider about Doxy-PEP to lower bacterial-STI risk.
🧭 Explore the full guide
🔬 Sources & review
- U.S. CDC — PrEP for the Prevention of HIV Infection: Clinical Practice Guideline (2021); “PrEP effectiveness”.
- HIV.gov & MedlinePlus — PrEP basics; USPSTF PrEP Recommendation (2023).
- U.S. FDA — labelling for Truvada, Descovy, Apretude and Yeztugo (lenacapavir, 2025).
✔ Last medically reviewed: 7 July 2026 · Prepmedication.com Medical Review Team · Next review due: January 2027 · How we review →
Medical disclaimer. This guide is general information, not a diagnosis or prescription. Approvals, dosing and cost vary by country and change over time; always confirm your plan with a qualified clinician. If you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, see PEP now.
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