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If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to get PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) for HIV, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will compare PrEP providers and prices, so that you can make an informed decision about where to buy PrEP.
We will also discuss some of the benefits of ordering PrEP online, who can use the drug, how it works, what side effects it has, and how to get started. PrEP is a highly effective way to prevent HIV, and it’s important that everyone has access to this life-saving medication.
So, whether you’re new to PrEP or just looking for where to buy PrEP online, read on for tips on how to get PrEP!
Where to get PrEP prescribed online?
Best online PrEP provider: Nurx vs MISTR vs Folx | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Medical consultation: $25 $164 for comprehensive testing $94 for basic testing (99% of patients pay $0 for medication) | Labs & consultation: Free Medication is covered by insurance for most patients If you don’t have insurance, MISTR will get you enrolled in one of the various patient assistance programs to cover the cost of your medication. | Labs: $0-$55 Medication & clinical support: $90/month |
| Takes insurance? | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Application type | Daily pill | Daily pill | Daily pill |
| Testing kit available? | ✅ for cost | ✅ | ✅ with subscription |
| Refills? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Geographic availability | 36 states (+ Washington, DC) (not available in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Vermont, & West Virginia) | All 50 states (+ Washington, DC) | 42 states (+ Washington, DC) (not available in Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, & Oregon) |
| Free shipping? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unlimited messaging with the healthcare provider? | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| What else can they treat? | Birth Control Sexual health Skincare Migraines Herpes Cold Sores UTI Testing (STI, HPV & COVID-19) Mental Health | N/a | Virtual healthcare Estrogen Testosterone Erectile dysfunction |
| Website |
Reviewing the best PrEP providers
There are many PrEP providers available online, but not all of them are created equal. That’s why it’s important to do your research before you buy PrEP from an online provider.
To help out, we’ve compiled a list of the best PrEP providers online. All of these providers offer PrEP at an affordable price, and they’re reputable and trustworthy.
Source: MISTR
We’ll summarize each provider’s strengths and weaknesses, so you can decide which PrEP provider is right for you.
All three providers offer both Truvada and Descovy as treatment options. The primary difference between Truvada and Descovy is the form of tenofovir that makes up each medication. Both drugs are effective at preventing the contraction of HIV when taken daily. Descovy was more recently FDA-approved for the prevention of HIV, but should NOT be taken by individuals who engage in receptive vaginal sex as there have not been enough studies yet.
Nurx PrEP review
Nurx offers both Truvada and Descovy as PrEP options. You can start a PrEP meds prescription with them in just a few clicks.
Nurx signup process
The signup process for Nurx is quick and easy, and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home.
Once you’ve signed up, a licensed provider will review your PrEP questionnaire and medical history. If they determine that PrEP is right for you, they’ll prescribe PrEP and send it to the pharmacy of your choice or to your home.
How to get started with Nurx
You can get started with Nurx by filling out a PrEP questionnaire on their website.
If you have any questions, you can reach out to their team of experts via chat or email. They’re available 24/7 to help you every step of the way.
Nurx PrEP Pros & Cons |
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Consultations with Nurx healthcare providers
Nurx PrEP service offers PrEP consultations with healthcare providers who can answer all of your questions and help you decide if PrEP is right for you. There is a consultation fee of $25.
If you are uninsured, you can also get PrEP at a lower cost through Nurx’s PrEP assistance program. If you qualify, you may be able to get your PrEP for as little as $0 per month.
Nurx testing kit
The Nurx at-home PrEP test kit includes everything you need to test for HIV at home. The kit is free with your PrEP prescription. If you prefer not to do home testing, you are welcome to have your labs done at local labs like LabCorp or Quest. You can also use the Nurx app to track your PrEP prescriptions, schedule reminders, and view your results.
There are two testing options, basic and comprehensive.
The basic test will test for:
- HIV
- Creatinine (to check kidney function)
- Hepatitis B
- Pregnancy (if applicable)
The comprehensive test will test for all of the above, PLUS:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
Nurx prescription delivery
Nurx PrEP is available in 36 states + Washington, DC (see comparison chart above for a list of states not available), and your three-month dosage of PrEP pills will be sent out with free shipping. You can choose to have your PrEP delivered to your home, or you can opt to pick it up at a local pharmacy.
PrEP administration type with Nurx
Nurx offers both Truvada and Descovy as PrEP options, and both come in daily pill form. The right medication for you will be determined based on your lab results and in your consultation.
Nurx pricing and subscription
Nurx charges a $25 fee for the initial medical consultation and each time you order a new test kit and evaluation for renewal of your prescription, which is every three months.
For those without medical insurance, the testing kit costs $164 for comprehensive testing or $94 for basic testing.
Does Nurx take insurance?
Yes, the PrEP medication itself is free with insurance, and if you don’t have insurance, Nurx offers PrEP at a discount through the PrEP Assurance Program. This means the price will depend on your insurance coverage. Nurx does state that 99% of patients pay $0 for their medication.
Nurx also works with a range of programs that provide PrEP for free or at a reduced cost, including Gilead’s Advancing Access, Patient Advocate Foundation, and Ready, Set, PrEP.
MISTR PrEP review
MISTR is gay owned and operated and offers a seamless online experience to help get PrEP to people who need it.
MISTR signup process
Signing up for MISTR is quick and easy. You can do it all from the comfort of your own home, and you don’t need to see a doctor in person. All you need to do is fill out a medical questionnaire.
How to get started with MISTR
After you complete your health questionnaire, an at-home testing kit will be sent to you. This kit will include everything you need to collect a sample and send it back to the laboratory for analysis.
You can also arrange in-person testing at 2,200 locations across the U.S.
Once the test results are back, you will need to schedule a video consultation with one of MISTR’s physicians. During this consultation, our provider will review your medical questionnaire and test with you, and determine if PrEP is right for you.
If PrEP is right for you, our provider will write you a PrEP prescription, and your PrEP will be delivered via Priority Mail®, FedEx, UPS, or a local courier.
MISTR PrEP Pros & Cons |
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Consultations with MISTR healthcare providers
In addition to the initial video consultation, you will need to schedule a yearly video consultation with one of MISTR’s physicians.
MISTR testing kit
The MISTR PrEP testing kit tests for HIV as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and hepatitis C.
MISTR prescription delivery
Your three-month PrEP prescription is delivered by Priority Mail®, FedEx, UPS, or a local courier anywhere in the US – all 50 states + Washington, DC.
MISTR PrEP administration type
MISTR provides Truvada and Descovy in daily pill form.
MISTR pricing and subscription
The MISTR testing kit, lab test, consultation, and PrEP prescription are entirely free, as is the shipping.
Does MISTR take insurance?
MISTR only uses insurance to cover the cost of PrEP medication, and if you don’t have insurance, they work on your behalf to enroll you in one of the various patient assistance programs, managing the entire process for you.
FOLX PrEP review
FOLX is a transgender-inclusive PrEP provider that offers a PrEP concierge service along with treatments and medications for a plethora of other health concerns.
FOLX signup process
FOLX’s signup process is pretty simple. You create an account and answer some basic questions about your PrEP needs.
How to get started with FOLX
FOLX will first send you a testing kit in the mail. The kit includes everything you need to provide a urine sample and collect a small blood spot from your finger using a lancet. You then mail the samples back to their CLIA-certified laboratory partner for testing.
You will then need to have a video consultation with one of their licensed providers. The provider will review the test results and answer any questions you have. If they determine that PrEP is right for you, they will write you a prescription.
Finally, Folx will ship your PrEP medication directly to your door.
FOLX PrEP Pros & Cons |
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Consultations with FOLX healthcare providers
As part of the FOLX subscription model, customers have access to regular consultations with a healthcare provider. Customers can schedule these as needed or on a set schedule, such as every three months.
FOLX testing kit
The FOLX PrEP test kit tests for HIV, STDs, and other infections. It is a simple self-swab test that can be done in the comfort of your own home.
FOLX prescription delivery
Prescription delivery is handled by FOLX. They will send your PrEP medication directly to your door using discreet packaging.
FOLX PrEP administration type
Flox offers Truvada and Descovy in daily pill form.
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Source: FOLX
FOLX pricing and subscription
Unlike MISTR or NURX, Folx uses a subscription model to bill customers. PrEP starts at $90/month with the option to add on other STI tests and treatments for an additional cost.
Does FOLX take insurance?
Folx does not accept medical insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare, but does accept payment through HSA/FSA plans. The payments will be priced like a co-pay.
PrEP FAQs: What to know before getting PrEP online
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of PrEP and how to get it online, let’s answer some frequently asked questions about PrEP.
What is PrEP, and how does it work?
PrEP is a daily pill that can help prevent HIV infection and transmission. PrEP works by blocking HIV from entering your cells and making copies of itself. PrEP is not a cure for HIV, but it’s a highly effective way to prevent HIV infection.
PrEP contains a reverse transcriptase enzyme inhibitor called tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). When PrEP is taken consistently, it can reduce the level of HIV in your body by up to 99%.
Is PrEP safe?
Yes, PrEP is safe. PrEP has been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. PrEP is also approved by the FDA for use in the United States.
PrEP is generally well-tolerated, with the most common side effects being nausea and
Who should take PrEP?
PrEP is for people who do not have HIV but who are at high risk of getting it. This includes people who:
- Have a sexual partner who has HIV
- Are not using condoms during sex with partners of unknown HIV status
- Inject drugs or share needles or other equipment
- Have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the last six months
PrEP is also for people whose sexual behaviors put them at high risk of getting HIV, even if they do not have a specific partner with HIV. This includes men who have sex with men, trans women, and cisgender women who have sex with multiple partners or whose partners have multiple other partners.
What types of PrEP are available?
Truvada, Descovy, and Apretude are the three PrEP drugs currently available in the United States.
Truvada is a pill that contains two drugs, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (tenofovir DF). Descovy is a pill that contains two drugs, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (tenofovir AF). Apreta is a PrEP drug that contains only one drug, tenofovir alafenamide.
The difference between the two PrEP drugs is that Truvada contains the older drug, tenofovir DF, while Descovy and Apreta contain the newer drug, tenofovir AF. Tenofovir DF is slightly less effective than tenofovir AF in preventing HIV infection. However, both PrEP drugs are highly effective at preventing HIV infection.
How is PrEP taken and when does it start working?
PrEP is taken once a day, every day. PrEP starts working within seven days for most people. For PrEP to work, you must take it consistently and correctly.
The level of protection PrEP provides depends on how consistently you take it. PrEP is more than 99% effective when taken every day as prescribed. But if you don’t take PrEP every day, its level of protection decreases.
If you take it four days a week, your level of protection is around 96%. This drops to 76% if you’re only taking it two days a week.
Should you test for HIV before starting PrEP?
For PrEP to protect you, it needs to be taken before you come in contact with the virus. This means that you should test negative for HIV before starting PrEP.
If you’re unsure of your status, it’s still a good idea to get tested before starting PrEP. That way, you can be sure that PrEP is right for you and start taking it as soon as possible if it is.
Most online PrEP providers will require you to take an HIV test before they prescribe PrEP to you.
Can PrEP prevent herpes and other STIs?
No, PrEP only protects against HIV. There are other medications you can take to reduce your risk of STIs, but PrEP is not one of them. Some online PrEP providers screen for other STIs before prescribing PrEP, but the service is focused on preventing herpes or other STIs.
PrEP vs condoms: Which is better to prevent STIs?
Neither PrEP nor condoms are 100% effective at preventing STIs, but PrEP is more effective than condoms. PrEP can reduce your risk of HIV by up to 99%. Condoms can reduce your risk of HIV by up to 80%.
It should be noted, however, that PrEP does not prevent STI infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis. PrEP also does not protect against other infections like HPV or herpes. The best way to prevent all STIs is to use condoms and PrEP together.
Can PrEP prevent pregnancy?
No, however, it is always a good idea to consult with a medical professional to discuss your options if you are on PrEP and trying to become pregnant.
Can PrEP affect the menstrual cycle?
PrEP can cause slight irregularity in the menstrual cycle in the first 3 months.
Can PrEP affect kidneys?
A small number of PrEP users have reported kidney problems, so it is important that, while taking PrEP, you should have an HIV test and a urine protein dipstick test every 3-4 months.
The verdict: Where to buy PrEP online?
There are a range of benefits to getting PrEP online, from the convenience of ordering it from home to being able to compare prices and providers.
The three providers we’ve reviewed today offer PrEP at a range of prices and with target markets.
If you are looking for the most affordable option that is offered in all 50 states, MISTR is the right choice for you. Their consultation and testing are free and, with insurance, the mediation is free as well. While they do not offer any other services, they work to get you in enrolled in one of the various patient assistance programs to cover the cost of your medication.
If you’re looking for the best service that also includes services for women, Nurx is a great choice. They focus on paying for PrEP through medical insurance and do their best to help with payments for anyone who does not have insurance, with 99% of their patients paying $0 for medication.
FOLX is a transgender-inclusive provider, that offers a self-pay subscription service, starting at $90 per month. If you’re looking for a service that includes easy add-ons for many other services or treatments including hair & skin medication, medication for sexual health, general health, and even behavioral health.
Which service works best for you will depend on your needs, but all three offer a convenient, easy way to get PrEP online.
Have you tried any of these services or any other online PrEP providers? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
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