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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
PrEP and nPEP
STD Program
- 239-461-6100
-
Mailing Location
83 Pondella Road
North Fort Myers, Florida 33903
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) offers pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication to individuals at risk of exposure to HIV.
Taking PrEP daily reduces the risk of getting HIV by more than 70-90%. Individuals taking PrEP should also continue to use other proven prevention strategies.
Program highlights:
- Patients requesting PrEP services are evaluated in our clinic, and if appropriate, may receive immediate access to PrEP medications. Evaluation services include:
- Client education
- HIV test
- HCV test
- Liver function test
- Prescription of PrEP medication
- Consideration is given to every patient based on their eligibility requirements, which include financial status.
- Once approved, patients will have a 3-month follow-up that includes:
- Assessment and monitoring their HIV status
- Evaluate adherence to PrEP medication
- Determine need to continue PrEP
- Review of side effects
- Education on prevention
For more information about the DOH-Lee PrEP program, please call 239-461-6100.
Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Profylaxis (nPEP)
nPEP is a medical intervention designed to prevent HIV infection after exposure to the virus. nPEP must be started within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure.
If you think you have recently been exposed to HIV, please call 239-461-6100.
Find more information visiting the Florida Department of Health PrEP/PEP page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is PrEP?
- Should I take PrEP?
- Who should not take PrEP?
- How do I pay for PrEP?
- PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.
- It is one pill taken once a day, every day, or an injection every two months to help reduce your HIV risk.
- PrEP works best when used with condoms. Condoms should always be used.
- You must be HIV-negative before you start taking PrEP medicine.
- Some people may experience nausea, gas, or headaches. These symptoms often go away within a few days.
PrEP is not for everyone. If you answer "yes" to any of the statements below, PrEP may be right for you.
- You have HIV-positive partner(s) or partner(s) of unknown HIV status
- You ever have sex without condoms
- You have or had a sexually transmitted infection like syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea in the past 6 months
- You or your partners has exchanged sex for drugs, food, money, or housing
- You or your partner inject drugs
- People who are HIV positive or people who do not know their HIV status
- People who lack the ability to take daily PrEP medicine
- People with a history or kidney or liver problems
- People who have chronic Hepatitis B without ongoing monitoring of the infection
PrEP is covered by most insurance carriers. Prior authorization may be required.
If your insurance does not cover PrEP or you do not have insurance, a counselor will assist you with applying for the Patient Assistance Program (PAP).
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