How often should PrEP follow-up be scheduled?

How often should PrEP follow-up be scheduled?

• A. Every 3 months
• B. Every year
• C. Every month
• D. Every 6 months

Answer: (A)

Regular follow-up every 3 months is the recommended schedule for people on PrEP because it keeps safety and effectiveness monitoring timely. At these visits, HIV testing is repeated to confirm the person remains HIV negative before continuing PrEP, which is crucial since starting or continuing PrEP requires knowing the HIV status. It also provides a check on adherence, so clinicians can address any barriers to taking the medication consistently, and allows monitoring for potential side effects and changes in kidney function due to the medication. Additionally, STI screening and prevention counseling can be offered, which fits with PrEP as part of a broader prevention strategy. Scheduling follow-ups less often could miss seroconversion or safety issues for longer periods, while more frequent visits aren’t usually necessary once the plan is established unless there are specific concerns.

Regular follow-up every 3 months is the recommended schedule for people on PrEP because it keeps safety and effectiveness monitoring timely. At these visits, HIV testing is repeated to confirm the person remains HIV negative before continuing PrEP, which is crucial since starting or continuing PrEP requires knowing the HIV status. It also provides a check on adherence, so clinicians can address any barriers to taking the medication consistently, and allows monitoring for potential side effects and changes in kidney function due to the medication. Additionally, STI screening and prevention counseling can be offered, which fits with PrEP as part of a broader prevention strategy. Scheduling follow-ups less often could miss seroconversion or safety issues for longer periods, while more frequent visits aren’t usually necessary once the plan is established unless there are specific concerns.