PEP, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a 28-day course of HIV medicines taken after a possible exposure to the virus. Its purpose is to prevent HIV from establishing a permanent infection in your body. It works by stopping the virus from replicating in the period immediately after exposure, before it can take hold.

PEP is not a cure and it is not a vaccine. It is an emergency intervention, and its effectiveness depends entirely on how quickly it is started and how consistently it is taken.

PEP is appropriate after any potential exposure to HIV. Common situations include:

Sexual exposure: unprotected sex with a partner whose HIV status is unknown or positive, or a condom failure during sex with a high-risk partner.

Needle-related exposure: sharing needles or syringes, or a needlestick injury in a healthcare or occupational setting.

Other exposure: any situation involving direct contact between potentially HIV-positive bodily fluids and broken skin, an open wound, or mucous membranes.

If you are unsure whether your exposure qualifies, contact us. Our team will assess your situation and advise you promptly.

PEP typically consists of a combination of two or three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. The specific combination dispensed depends on the nature of the exposure and current clinical guidelines. All medications used in PEP regimens at Zivoko are sourced through authorised pharmaceutical channels and dispensed by licensed pharmacists.

Our team will confirm the appropriate regimen for your situation at the time of assessment.

PEP must be started within 72 hours of a potential exposure. The earlier it is started, the more effective it is. Starting within the first 24 hours gives the best chance of preventing infection. Starting between 24 and 72 hours is still effective, but every hour of delay reduces its effectiveness.

The standard PEP course lasts 28 days. Completing the full course is critical. Stopping early, even if you feel fine, significantly reduces its effectiveness and may leave you unprotected.

PEP must be taken at the same time every day. Consistent dosing is just as important as starting early.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

Missing doses reduces PEP’s effectiveness. If you are struggling to maintain your schedule, contact our team via WhatsApp. We will support you through the remainder of your course.

No HIV prevention method is 100% effective, and PEP is no exception. However, when started promptly and taken correctly for the full 28 days, PEP is highly effective at preventing HIV infection after a potential exposure.

Effectiveness is highest when PEP is started within the first 24 hours and taken without missed doses. Delays and inconsistent adherence reduce its protective effect.

No. PEP is an emergency measure for a specific exposure. It does not provide ongoing protection against future risks. Once your 28-day course ends, you are no longer protected.

If you are at continued risk of HIV exposure, speak with our team about starting PrEP, a long-term prevention option that provides consistent protection when taken regularly.

Yes, PEP can be taken more than once. There is no medical rule against it. However, if you find yourself needing it repeatedly, this suggests ongoing exposure risk, and PEP is not the right long-term solution for that situation.

In such cases, we strongly recommend speaking with our team about PrEP, which is designed precisely for people at continued risk and offers far more reliable protection than repeated PEP courses.

In concept, they are similar. Both are emergency interventions taken after a potential risk rather than before it. PEP prevents HIV infection after a possible exposure, while emergency contraception prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex. Both must be taken within a specific time window to work.

The key difference is mechanism. Emergency contraception works hormonally over a short period, while PEP is a 28-day antiviral course. Neither replaces regular, ongoing prevention.

PEP is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects, particularly in the first week, include nausea, fatigue, headache, and loose stools. These are usually mild and tend to ease as your body adjusts to the medication.

Taking PEP with food can significantly reduce nausea. If side effects are severe or affecting your ability to complete the course, contact us. Our team can advise on management strategies.

Moderate alcohol consumption does not directly reduce PEP’s effectiveness. However, heavy drinking is discouraged for two reasons: it can put additional strain on the liver, which is already processing the antiretroviral medication, and it increases the risk of missing or forgetting doses, which does reduce effectiveness.

If you choose to drink during your PEP course, keep it moderate and make sure you maintain your daily dosing schedule without interruption.

You can have sex while on PEP, but you should use condoms consistently throughout the entire 28-day course. PEP takes time to reach full effectiveness and does not provide immediate protection. Using condoms protects both you and your partner during this period.

If you have an HIV-positive partner, condom use while on PEP is especially important.

After completing your 28-day course, an HIV test is recommended at four to six weeks after the exposure, and again at three months for a conclusive result. This matters because PEP may suppress the virus enough to delay a positive test result, even in cases where it did not fully prevent infection.

Our team will guide you on follow-up testing as part of your care. Do not skip this step. Knowing your status is essential for your health and for protecting others.

If your circumstances put you at continued risk of HIV exposure, transitioning to PrEP after completing PEP is strongly recommended. PrEP provides consistent, ongoing protection and is a far more suitable long-term strategy than repeated PEP courses.

Speak with our team about your options. Oral PrEP is available now and is what most people start with. Injectable options, CAB-LA (every two months) and lenacapavir (twice yearly), are genuinely promising but still rolling out gradually in Nigeria, so we will tell you honestly where access stands and help you choose what fits your life.

The fastest way is via WhatsApp at +234 7014394194. Message us immediately and our team will conduct a brief assessment. Once cleared, your order is processed and dispatched, with same-day delivery available in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and other hub cities.

You can also order through our website or collect in person at Zivoko Healthcare, 5 Emmanuel Ibitolu Street, Ajah, Lagos (open daily, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM).

Yes. Zivoko delivers to every state in Nigeria and the FCT through a network of pharmacy and logistics partners. Hub cities including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Asaba, Onitsha, Benin City, and Kano receive PEP within hours. Other locations receive same-day or next-day delivery depending on when the order is placed.

Contact us on WhatsApp and we will confirm delivery timelines for your specific location.