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How to take PrEP
Start your HIV protection
Take 2 pills at once and wait 2 hours before having sex (max. 24 hrs)
Stay protected
Take 1 pill daily and repeat as desired
After sex, lock it in
Make sure you keep taking 1 pill daily until 2 days after sex
After sex involving your vagina, neovagina or front hole:
To lock in your protection, make sure you keep taking 1 pill daily until 7 days after sex
Note: This information is based on the latest data (01/2025). Previous recommendations have been simplified and unified.
What is PrEP?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is, in addition to condoms and protection through therapy, effective protection against HIV infection when used correctly.
PrEP is the precautionary intake of a drug that is also used in HIV therapy, before and after sex.
PrEP protects you against HIV, but not against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have a PrEP prescription, you will usually also be tested for STIs every 3 months.
PrEP is only available on prescription and should be used under medical supervision. The statutory health insurance companies cover the costs. You only have to pay a co-payment of €10 per 3-month pack. Not all private health insurance companies cover the costs of treatment and medication.
Is PrEP right for me?
In principle, PrEP can be considered as a method of protection against HIV for any sexually active person.
A counselling session can clarify whether this method is right for you and what requirements you need to fulfil for it to work and for you to tolerate it. Contact an HIV/PrEP counselling centre or a PrEP-practice directly.
A number of medical examinations must be carried out before a prescription can be issued. This is checked:
- Your HIV status: You can only take PrEP if you are HIV-negative – otherwise this could make future HIV treatment more difficult.
- Whether a hepatitis B infection is present, as this can worsen after discontinuation of PrEP.
- Your kidney values, as PrEP could reduce kidney function.
Side effects occur only rarely – possible side effects include nausea or vomiting, but also dizziness, headaches or skin rashes. You can also ask questions about this during your medical consultation.
Where to get PrEP in Berlin
You can get PrEP from doctors who have a special licence for this – these are primarily HIV specialist practices: You can find a search for PrEP practices throughout Germany at the Ministry of Health:
Access for people without insurance cover is available in Berlin at Checkpoint BLN and at the municipal centre for sexual health in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg or in Mitte.
PrEP without prescription?
We advise you not to take PrEP without medical supervision – for example, by having someone give you some pills or by buying them online.
If you still want to take it, for example because no other HIV prevention method is an option in a particular situation, then please note: You must be sure in advance that you are currently HIV-negative – otherwise taking PrEP could make it more difficult to treat the HIV infection later on.
Counselling centres can also provide the accompanying PrEP tests.