INDICATION & LIMITATION OF USE

DESCOVY® for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is indicated in at-risk adults and adolescents (≥35 kg) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection, excluding individuals at risk from receptive vaginal sex. HIV-1–negative status must be confirmed immediately prior to initiation.

Limitation of Use: DESCOVY FOR PrEP® is not indicated in individuals at risk of HIV-1 from receptive vaginal sex because effectiveness in this population has not been evaluated.

Please see below for Important Safety Information for DESCOVY.

STI visits are an opportunity for an HIV prevention discussion—start the conversation today

STI history is one of the strongest indicators of potentially acquiring HIV1,2

Over 2.4 million cases of the following STIs were reported in the US according to 2021 surveillance data from the CDC.3 People who get STIs, like syphilis and gonorrhea, are more likely to get HIV in the future.1,2 Overall, rates of STIs have continued to rise3:

Syphilis

176,713 cases;
up 74% from 2017

Gonorrhea

710,151 cases;
up 28% from 2017

Chlamydia

1.6 million cases;
down 3.8% from 2017

According to the CDC, certain communities continue to experience high rates of STIs, including3:

  • People aged 15 to 24 years
  • Gay and bisexual MSM
  • Some racial and ethnic minority groups

The CDC recommends that:

ALL

sexually active adults and adolescents
should be informed about PrEP for HIV prevention4

Integrate HIV prevention discussions at every STI visit4

According to the CDC, discussing sexual history is part of routine healthcare.

Ask about the following to understand key aspects of sexual practices associated with the risk of HIV acquisition*:

A bacterial STI (eg, syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia) in the past 6 months

An HIV-positive sexual partner with unknown or detectable viral load

One or more sexual partners of unknown HIV status and inconsistent condom use

If YES to 1 or more, consider prescribing PrEP medication to adults and adolescents at substantial risk of HIV acquisition.

If NO to all, discuss PrEP medication and consider prescribing to individuals upon request, as appropriate.

PrEP medication should be considered part of a comprehensive STI prevention plan; PrEP medications do not reduce the risk of STIs other than HIV.5

*These are only a few of the questions designed to assess an indication for PrEP medication based on CDC guidelines. HCPs may want to ask additional questions prior to prescribing PrEP medications.

Questions to help start an HIV prevention conversation with individuals in your practice

Sexual activity and relationships6

  • Do you have any questions or concerns about your sexual health or HIV?
  • Are you currently having sex? If so, what kind—oral, vaginal, or anal?
  • Is your sexual partner(s) new or long-term? Are you and your partner(s) in an open relationship?
  • Do you have 1 or more sexual partners of unknown HIV status?

STI history6

  • Have you or your partner(s) ever had an STI?
  • If you use STI prevention tools (eg, condoms or dental dams), what methods do you use, and how often?
  • Have you ever been tested for STIs? Would you like to be tested?
  • How consistently do you use condoms?

Previous PrEP use6

  • Have you ever been on PrEP, a medication for HIV prevention, before?
  • Why did you stop taking PrEP?
  • Would you be interested in learning more about PrEP for HIV prevention?

HIV testing habits6,7

  • Have you ever been tested for HIV? Would you like to be tested?
  • Do you tend to get tested for HIV regularly, or just when you think you may have been exposed?

Be the catalyst for a conversation. Discuss HIV prevention at every STI visit.

CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; HCPs=healthcare providers; MSM=men who have sex with men; STI=sexually transmitted infection.