Postexposure prophylaxis for HIV following sexual exposure.
OBJECTIVE
Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) has become an important part of combined approaches to the prevention of onward HIV transmission. As PEP becomes more widely available after sexual as well as occupational exposure, there are ongoing debates about cost-effectiveness and utility. Different regions have adopted different PEP strategies and the availability of new antiretroviral drugs and classes means that options for PEP regimens are increasing. This review is timely and of importance as it summarizes the evidence supporting current PEP usage and discusses potential future strategies for PEP prescribing.


RESULTS
This review covers the biology and risk of HIV transmission and evidence supporting the use of PEP. It gives a summary of current guidelines including which agents to use, the potential for drug-drug interactions, possible alternative and potential novel PEP regimens, cost-effectiveness and research on effects of PEP on sexual behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
While reinforcing current practice around PEP prescribing, this review discusses possible future developments including the use of new antiretroviral drugs, new classes of antiretroviral drugs or novel strategies for PEP which are likely to be areas of research in the near future.
Barber
Tristan J
TJ
Mortimer Market Centre, London, UK.
Benn
Paul D
PD
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000379:methods; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents