What this covers
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine taken by HIV-negative people to prevent infection, while ARVs (antiretrovirals) keep people living with HIV healthy and make the virus untransmittable when consistently suppressed. Both depend almost entirely on taking the medicine reliably.
Safe-use guidance
- Take PrEP or ARVs at a consistent time daily — link it to a fixed habit like brushing your teeth or a phone alarm.
- Never run out: plan refills ahead, especially before travel or holidays.
- Keep scheduled viral load and kidney monitoring tests — they confirm the medicine is working and safe for you.
- Effective treatment means undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U) — adherence protects partners too.
- If you miss doses repeatedly, talk honestly with your provider about strategies rather than hiding it.
- PrEP needs a confirmed negative HIV test before starting and periodic retesting while on it.
Cautions
- Stopping and restarting ARVs erratically breeds drug resistance, shrinking future treatment options.
- Some ARVs interact with TB medicines, contraceptives, antacids, and herbal products — disclose everything you take.
- PrEP does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections — condoms still matter.
- Buying ARVs informally risks counterfeit products; use accredited treatment centres and licensed pharmacies.
How GoDoctor helps
GoDoctor offers confidential consultations about PrEP and HIV care, adherence support, and discreet doorstep delivery of refills — removing the clinic-queue barrier that breaks so many treatment routines.
Prescription medicines always require an in-app consultation with a licensed doctor first — the e-prescription then goes straight to a licensed partner pharmacy for dispensing and delivery.