The short answer
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is HIV medicine taken before possible exposure to prevent infection. It is for HIV-negative people at ongoing risk, such as those with a partner who has HIV, several partners, or who do not always use condoms. You need a confirmed negative HIV test and a kidney check before starting, and an HIV test every three months while you take it.
Talk to a doctor privately, ₦15,000Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Who PrEP is for
The national guidelines offer PrEP to HIV-negative people at substantial risk, including:
- People with a partner who has HIV, especially if the partner's virus is not yet suppressed
- People who have sex without condoms with partners whose status they do not know
- Men who have sex with men, and sex workers
- People who have needed PEP more than once
Before you start
You need an HIV test confirmed by a clinic, not a self-test alone, because PrEP is not treatment for HIV. You also need a kidney test, a hepatitis B test and, for women, a pregnancy check. If you may have been exposed in the last 72 hours, you need PEP first, not PrEP.
Taking it and staying safe
Daily PrEP protects after about seven days of tablets for most people. It does not protect against other STIs, so condoms still matter, and an STI screen every three months is sensible. Your clinic will test for HIV every three months and check your kidneys regularly.
Common questions
Does PrEP have side effects?
Some people have mild stomach upset for the first weeks. Kidney function is checked because the medicine can affect it in a small number of people.
Can I take PrEP only when I need it?
On-demand dosing around sex is an option for men who have sex with men under the national guidelines. For everyone else, PrEP is taken daily.
Can a Mezo doctor advise me about PrEP?
Yes. A private consult covers whether PrEP suits you, the tests you need first, and where to get it.
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Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- National Guidelines for HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care. Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria (NASCP), 2020. Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 24 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.