According to a report published last
week in the Oxford Journal, pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP
– commonly known as Truvada – is as safe as Aspirin.
Truvada reduces the risk of contracting
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, through sex when taken regularly.
Researchers from the David Geffen
School of Medicine at the University of California compared five
major studies on PrEP for HIV infection against two major studies on
Aspirin safety.
They looked at reported side effects
for each medication and concluded that the use of Truvada as PrEP was
favorable to Aspirin in terms of safety. Researchers, however,
cautioned that more studies on long-term use were needed.
“We conclude that FTC-TDF
[emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate] for PrEP for HIV
infection favorably compares to aspirin in terms of user safety.
While long-term studies are needed, providers should feel reassured
about the safety of short- and medium-term PrEP for HIV infection
with FTC-TDF,” the
researchers concluded.
The FDA approved Truvada for use as
PrEP in 2012.
(Related: Gay,
bisexual Latinos less likely to access PrEP, Grindr survey finds.)