PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.

It is a 28-day course of HIV medicines taken after a possible exposure to the virus. The goal is simple: to stop HIV from establishing an infection in your body before it gets the chance.

PEP is an emergency prevention method, not something you take every day. That distinction matters: if you’re looking for ongoing, daily protection before any exposure happens, that’s PrEP, a different medication with a different purpose.

Why timing is everything.

HIV doesn’t infect the body instantly. After exposure, the virus takes some time to multiply and establish itself. PEP works by giving you antiretroviral medicines that block HIV’s ability to copy itself. If the virus can’t multiply during that early window, it can’t take hold.

That’s the entire logic behind the 72-hour rule: PEP needs to be in your system before the virus has finished establishing infection, which is why every hour of delay reduces how well it works.

The window you’re working with.

Situations where PEP is worth considering.

You may need PEP if you:

• Had unprotected sex with someone of unknown or positive HIV status.
• Experienced a condom breakage during sex.
• Were sexually assaulted.
• Shared needles or sharp instruments.
• Came into contact with HIV-positive blood, at work or through an accident.

If you’re not sure about the other person’s HIV status, it’s safer to start PEP and ask questions afterward. Uncertainty is exactly the situation PEP exists for.

28 days, every day, no exceptions.

The standard PEP course lasts 28 days. Every dose needs to be taken daily, at roughly the same time, for the full course to work as intended. Stopping early, even if you feel fine, reduces how well it protects you.

Some people experience nausea, tiredness, mild headaches, or stomach discomfort in the first few days. These are usually temporary and ease as your body adjusts, they are not a sign that PEP is harming you. Our guide on PEP side effects covers what to expect and how to manage it.

PEP is available across Nigeria.

PEP is available at hospitals and clinics with HIV services, community pharmacies trained to dispense it, and specialised providers like Zivoko. We deliver nationwide: within hours in our 13 hub cities, and within 24 hours anywhere else. You need an HIV test before you start, unless you already know you are negative, and we can add a rapid test kit to your order (sold separately, subject to availability).

See our state-by-state guide to PEP in Nigeria for delivery details wherever you are.

Common questions about PEP.

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 post-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.