HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) updates

This page provides the most up-to-date information about PrEP cost, resources, and services in King County.

Is PrEP free?

If you live in King County, PrEP is available at no-cost. Call 206-744-3954 and speak to a PrEP specialist at the Public Health – Seattle & King County Sexual Health Clinic. They will be able to explain all the options for covering the cost of PrEP that would essentially make it free.

Going somewhere?

Remember to bring PrEP with you! Make a plan with your provider to get on PrEP and stay on PrEP, even when traveling, on vacation, or moving.

Got Truvada (TDF/FTC) handy?

Always having Truvada on hand is ideal for preventing HIV. Truvada is the brand name for tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) combined with emtricitabine (FTC), abbreviated as TDF/FTC, which comes in a widely available and cheap generic form.

If you are HIV negative, taking TDF/FTC as a daily HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective at preventing HIV.
Even if you choose not to take TDF/FTC every day, having it means you can still use the PrEP 2-1-1 method to protect yourself from HIV.

PrEP 2-1-1 means taking:
- 2 pills, 2 to 24 hours before sexual activity
- 1 pill, 24 hours after the first 2 pills
- 1 final pill, 24 hours after the 3rd pill

Diagram showing the PrEP 2-1-1 method to protect yourself from HIV

TDF/FTC can be used as HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PEP usually means taking 3 medications; often TDF/FTC, and a third medication like dolutegravir. However, the evidence for needing a third medication is limited and suggests that taking 2 doses (2 pills) of TDF/FTC alone as soon as possible within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure, and then continuing to take 1 pill every day for up to 28 days, can be suitable to prevent infection after HIV exposure.

Get Truvada, or generic TDF/FTC, and keep it handy. It remains a powerful HIV prevention tool.