PEP
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) means taking medicine to prevent HIV after a possible exposure. PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.
This section answers some of the most common questions about PEP.
This section answers some of the most common questions about PEP.
HIV Basics | About HIV | HIV Transmission | HIV Prevention | PrEP | PEP | HIV Stigma
What is PEP?
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is where you take an HIV medication after an incident to prevent getting HIV. It's an effective solution if you are using condoms, but have an instance where you had a slip-up for whatever reason (maybe the condom broke), and are concerned about your vulnerability.
PEP Must Be Started Within 72 Hours of Possible Exposure to HIV
Talk right away (within 72 hours) to your health care provider, an emergency room doctor, or an urgent care provider about PEP if you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV:
- during sex (for example, if the condom broke),
- through sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs (for example, cookers), or
- if you’ve been sexually assaulted.
PEP is for Emergency Situations
- PEP is given after a possible exposure to HIV.
- PEP is not a substitute for regular use of other HIV prevention.
- PEP is not the right choice for people who may be exposed to HIV frequently.
- If you are at ongoing risk for HIV, such as through repeated exposures to HIV, talk to your health care provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
How well does PEP work?
If taken within 72 hours after possible exposure, PEP is highly effective in preventing HIV. But to be safe, you should take other actions to protect your partners while you are taking PEP. This includes always using condoms with sexual partners and not sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs.
Are there any side effects?
- PEP is safe but may cause side effects like nausea in some people.
- In almost all cases, these side effects can be treated and aren’t life-threatening.
Information contained in this section is a reproduction for New Zealand of content published on the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Website
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Membership is free and available to anyone living with HIV in New Zealand.
© 2026 Body Positive Inc.
