This information is for people who inject drugs, including those who inject drugs for sex (chemsex), no matter what you inject, or who you have sex with. It is important you do not share needles, syringes, spoons or filters.

PrEP is for people who are HIV negative.

Forward Leeds can give you advice around safe injecting, help you reduce or stop injecting drugs and

give you advice around chemsex if needed. You can get advice by visiting the Forward Leeds website, or by telling us at your PrEP appointment.

To get protection from PrEP, you need to start with 2 pills at once. This is called a double dose. Take them between 2 and 24 hours before injecting. This will get the medicine into your body so it can protect you.

There are 2 ways to take PrEP.

Daily dosing is good for if people inject regularly. Here’s how it works:

• Start with 2 pills (your double dose), between 2 and 24 hours before injecting or chemsex
• Then take 1 pill every day, around the same
• Keep taking a pill every day while you’re injecting or sexually
• After your last injection or sex, keep taking PrEP for 7 more

For example: If you’re going to inject at 9pm on Friday, take your double dose anytime between 9pm on Thursday and 7pm on Friday. Then take 1 pill every day, around the same time, and keep going for 7 days after you last inject or have sex.

By taking daily PrEP, you’re always protected against HIV, even is injecting happens unexpectedly. No need to plan around pills once you’re in a routine.

If you inject drugs less often, or you usually plan ahead (such as at a monthly chemsex party), event- based PrEP (also called 2:7 dosing) might be better for you. Here’s how it works:

• Start with 2 pills (your double dose), between 2 and 24 hours before
• Take 1 pill for 7 days after injecting or sex has

Here is an example: If you’re planning to inject drugs at 7pm on Saturday, take your double dose at least 2 hours before (between 7pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday). Then take 1 pill every day for 7 days after the injection.

What if I miss my double dose?

Take it as soon as possible, especially within the first 24 hours after injecting. Continue to take 1 pill daily whilst injecting, and for 7 days after the injecting has stopped.

If you need advice, please call Leeds Sexual Health.

If we are closed, take 2 pills as soon as possible after injecting (within 72 hours) and seek help from the Emergency Department. You may be given post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).