provider resources
How can PrEP support my practice?
Patient care providers around New Hampshire are seeking PrEP information daily. We know you're busy. Granite State PrEP Connect is here to make accessing all things PrEP easier with our FAQs section.
PrEP is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is the use of antiretroviral medication to prevent acquisition of HIV infection. PrEP is used by people who are at risk of being exposed to HIV through sexual contact or injection drug use. At present, the only medication with an FDA-approved indication for PrEP is oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine (TDF-FTC), which is available as a fixed-dose combination in a tablet called Truvada. This medication is also commonly used in the treatment of HIV. PrEP should be considered part of a comprehensive prevention plan that includes adherence, risk reduction counseling, HIV prevention education and provision of condoms. Recently, a fixed-dose combination similar to Truvada, Descovy, was approved for HIV treatment; this pill includes a novel, tenofovir pro-drug (tenofovir alafenamide) in addition to emtricitabine.
-
Where can I resolve questions about providing PrEP?The Clinician Consultation Center at UCSF provides clinicians of all experience levels prompt, expert responses to questions about managing HIV/AIDS, perinatal HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and bloodborne pathogen exposures. You can call a clinician during business hours or review their collection of clinical resources at any hour. It’s a great way to help people navigate your site and can even boost your site’s SEO.
-
Is Truvada or Descovy the best option for PrEP?Both Truvada (TDF/FTC) and Descovy (TAF/FTC) are safe and appropriate options for PrEP, although the former has robust evidence in multiple populations beyond cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women. TAF/FTC has not been shown to be more effective than TDF/FTC. Study findings show that TAF/FTC is “noninferior” to TDF/FTC in preventing HIV—meaning that TAF/FTC is not better but, rather, similarly as effective as TDF/FTC. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released a guidance affirming TDF/FTC remains the first-line regimen for PrEP. More information on the pros and cons of these regimens are summarized in this recent letter in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
-
When will injectable PrEP be an option for my patients?Interim results from HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 083 study showed injectable cabotegravir every 2 months was more effective at preventing HIV than currently oral PrEP options. Similar to recent TAF/FTC trials, we are lacking data on cisgender women and people who inject drugs. The FDA has not yet approved injectable cabotegravir for PrEP as Canada has. We will share updates as they become available and welcome additional options for people seeking to lower their risk of contracting HIV.
-
How can Granite State PrEP Connect support my PrEP practice?Our navigator or network of PrEP advocates can work with you and your patients to address issues from adherence to accessing assistance programs. Provides are also invited to reach out via call, text, or email to request: Provider trainings PrEP implementation information Promotional and educational materials
-
How should I talk to patients about Granite State PrEPConnect?If you feel a patient is at-risk for HIV and could benefit from peer support, we recommend you have them send a text or email to our navigator during their visit. Our navigator can work with them to resolve questions about access, promote adherence, and answer questions they might feel more comfortable asking in a non-clinical setting. All services provided are free and confidential.
-
Are there programs that can be built into an EMR to help identify patients who would benefit from PrEP?Yes. Review the article, How to Identify Potential Candidates for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: An AI Algorithm Reusing Real-World Hospital Data to learn more.