PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

It is a daily medication taken before any HIV exposure to prevent infection. When taken correctly, PrEP is about 99% effective at preventing HIV through sexual contact.

Think of it as a shield that’s always active. Unlike PEP, which is an emergency measure taken after a possible exposure, PrEP is a proactive, ongoing choice. You take it before you’re in any situation that could expose you to HIV, so the protection is already there when you need it.

PrEP creates a protective barrier in your body.

HIV needs to copy itself inside your body to cause infection. PrEP contains antiretroviral medicines (usually tenofovir and emtricitabine) that block this copying process. When HIV enters the body, those medicines are already present in the tissues it would need to infect, and they stop the virus before it can establish itself.

That’s why consistency matters: PrEP builds up to protective levels in your body over several days of daily use. Taking it every day keeps those levels high. Skipping doses lets them drop, which is when protection weakens.

About 99% effective when taken correctly.

When taken daily as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of HIV from sexual exposure by about 99%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces risk by at least 74% when taken consistently. These figures come from large clinical trials, and they hold true across populations and geographies.

No prevention method is 100%, but PrEP is genuinely close when used as directed. Combined with regular HIV testing every three months, it forms one of the most reliable protective strategies available to an HIV-negative person.

PrEP is for anyone at ongoing HIV risk.

PrEP is not just for specific groups. It’s for anyone whose life circumstances mean HIV exposure is a realistic ongoing possibility. You should consider PrEP if you:

• Have a sexual partner who is HIV-positive, especially if their viral load or treatment status isn’t confirmed.
• Have multiple sexual partners, or don’t always use condoms consistently.
• Have needed PEP before, which suggests repeated exposure risk.
• Are a man who has sex with men.
• Are a sex worker.
• Inject drugs or share needles.

If you regularly worry about HIV exposure, that concern itself is a sign PrEP is worth discussing. Our HIV risk checker can help you assess whether your situation warrants it.

Two different tools for two different situations.

Both protect against HIV, but they’re not interchangeable. If you’re using PEP repeatedly, that’s a clear signal your situation calls for PrEP instead.

Most people tolerate PrEP very well.

Some people experience mild nausea, headache, or stomach upset in the first few weeks. These typically resolve on their own as your body adjusts. Taking PrEP with food helps. PrEP is considered safe for long-term use under medical supervision, and most people take it for months or years without significant issues.

PrEP does require regular monitoring: an HIV test every three months (to confirm you’re still negative) and a kidney function check at the same frequency, since the medicine passes through the kidneys. We handle these reminders for Zivoko patients through WhatsApp, so nothing falls through the gaps.

Where and how to access PrEP.

PrEP is available through public hospitals with HIV programmes (often free or subsidised under the federal programme), private clinics, and specialised providers like Zivoko. We deliver oral PrEP (TDF/FTC) across Nigeria via WhatsApp, with baseline and follow-up testing guided remotely using private labs near you.

For full guidance on how to start, including what tests you need before your first dose and how the ongoing monitoring works, read our guide on how to start PrEP in Nigeria.

Common questions about PrEP.

Where this guidance comes from.

The clinical guidance on this page reflects the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. You can read the primary guidance directly from WHO and the CDC.

Zivoko is a pharmacist-led service. This page was medically reviewed by Jude Ozioko, Pharmacist (PCN 024035), and every order is reviewed and dispensed under the accountability of a registered pharmacist, in line with Nigeria’s pharmacy regulations. This page is informational and does not replace a consultation.