Can medications like Truvada and Tivicay help prevent HIV infection?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had sex with a sex worker and the condom broke. I had inserted my penis inside her vagina when this happened, and for approximately two to three minutes, I did not ejaculate. I immediately withdrew and washed my penis with water. Before the incident, she also gave me oral sex.

I immediately started on PEP medication after the incident. Truvada 200 milligrams and Tivicay 50 milligrams, one tablet daily. I have been on this medication for the past few days.

I would like to know the following:

What tests should I get done to ensure that I can take the medicines noted above without causing side effects to the kidney or liver?
Is the medication I am taking appropriate for the above incident?
Are there other alternatives?
How effective is PEP medication?
Does stopping Truvada or Tivicay mid-way increase my chances of catching HIV, or what are other impacts of stopping these medicines before the completion of 28 days cycle?
What are my options considering all of the above?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and understood your concern.

The chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by single unprotected intercourse is low. A condom breakage can be considered equivalent to unprotected intercourse. If the person is HIV-negative, there is no chance of disease transmission. The chances of transmission by unprotected oral sex are almost nil unless there are bleeding wounds in the oral cavity. Truvada (Tenofovir), and Tivicay (Dolutegravir), are very effective in HIV prevention if taken properly for the recommended period. So, I suggest you take the complete course.

Side effects of PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) are not much serious as it is taken for a shorter duration. Once you stop PEP, all side effects will reverse back to normal. Minor gastrointestinal disturbances may be there, which also would go back to normal. I suggest you do liver and renal function tests before and after PEP, apart from STD (sexually transmitted disease) tests before and after PEP.

Kindly consult a specialist doctor, talk with them, and take medicines with their consent.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.