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What is PEP?

PEP is “post-exposure prophylaxis”.

It means taking antiretroviral medicines after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected.

How does PEP work?

PEP treatment involves taking HIV antiretroviral medicines after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected for 28 days and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.

The earlier PEP is started, the more effective it may be. PEP is not a guarantee and it is not 100% effective.

Side effects such as nausea, headache, or diarrhea are common when first starting PEP. Many of these symptoms get better over time. These side effects can be treated and aren’t life-threatening.

Is PEP right for me?

If you’re HIV-negative or don’t know your HIV status, and in the last 72 hours (three days) you

think you may have been exposed to HIV during sex (for example, if the condom broke),
shared needles and works to prepare drugs (for example, cotton, cookers, water), or
were sexually assaulted,

talk to a public health office, a health care provider, or an emergency room doctor about PEP right away.

Can I take a round of PEP every time I have unprotected sex?

PEP should be used only in emergency situations.

It is not a substitute for regular use of other proven HIV prevention methods, such as

pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which means taking HIV medicines daily to lower your chance of getting infected;
using condoms the right way every time you have sex;
and using only new, sterile needles and works every time you inject.

Where can I get PEP?

If you have had a recent high-risk exposure to HIV, contact the following public health offices.

1 - Northwest

Indian Health Service - Acoma
80 B Veterans Blvd
Acoma, NM 87034
505-552-5300
view office details

Indian Health Services Northern Navajo Medical Center
HWY 491 N
Shiprock, NM 87420
505-368-6001
view office details

San Juan Public Health Office
355 S. Miller
Farmington, NM 87401
505-327-4461
view office details

2 - Northeast

Santa Fe Public Health Office
605 Letrado
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-476-2600
view office details

Southwest CARE Center - Specialty Services
649 Harkle Rd, Ste E
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-989-8200
view office details

Southwest Care Center-Santa Fe
649 Harkle Road, Suite B
Santa Fe, NM 87502
505-216-1555
view office details

3 - Albuquerque Metro

Midtown Public Health Office
2400 Wellesley Dr NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107-1812
505-841-4170
view office details

Southwest CARE Center - Albuquerque office
4710 Jefferson St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-780-4040
view office details

UNM Truman Health Services
801 Encino Place NE, Building F
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-272-1312
view office details

4 - Southeast

Advanced Medication Management Systems
2402 W Pierce St STE 2B
Carlsbad, New Mexico, NM 88220
575-885-2979
view office details

Roswell Public Health Office
200 E. Chisum
Roswell, NM 88203
575-624-6050
view office details

5 - Southwest

Las Cruces (Central) Public Health Office
1170 North Solano Drive, Suite I
Las Cruces, NM 88001
575-528-5000
view office details

Mesilla Valley Pharmacy
227 S Main St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
575-323-2093
view office details

At night or on the weekend, do not wait.

Visit your local emergency room or urgent care center or your primary care provider right away.

More information can be found here