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UK Guideline for the use of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis 2021

Introduction

These are BASHH-led guidelines. They were developed and will be updated according to BASHH processes. BHIVA contributed and the guidelines are co-badged. The BASHH guidelines pages are here: https://www.bashh.org/guidelines/.

We present the updated British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) guidelines for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to HIV following sexual exposures, occupational exposures and other non-occupational exposures in the community. This serves as an update to the 2015 BASHH guideline on PEP following sexual exposures and the 2008 Expert Advisory Group on AIDS guidelines on HIV PEP.

We aim to provide evidence-based guidance on best clinical practice in the provision, monitoring and support of PEP for the prevention of HIV acquisition following sexual, occupational and other non-occupational exposures in the community. The guideline covers when to prescribe PEP, what antiretroviral agents to use and how to manage PEP. This includes (i) evidence of PEP efficacy; (ii) evidence relating to individual-level efficacy of antiretroviral therapy to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV; (iii) data on detectable (transmissible) prevalence of HIV in specific populations; (iv) risk of HIV transmission following different types of sexual and occupational exposure; (v) baseline risk assessment; (vi) drug regimens and dosing schedules; (vii) monitoring PEP; (viii) baseline and follow up blood borne virus testing; (ix) the role of PEP within broader HIV prevention strategies e.g. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The guideline also covers special scenarios such as PEP in pregnancy, breastfeeding, chronic hepatitis B infection, and when PEP should be considered in people using HIV PrEP.

The guidelines are aimed at clinical professionals directly involved in PEP provision and other stakeholders in the field. A proforma to assist PEP consultations is included. A public consultation process was undertaken prior to finalising the recommendations.

UK Guideline for the use of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis 2021


Downloads

UK Guideline for the use of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis 2021NICE accredited


Non-technical summary

These guidelines do not have a BHIVA non-technical summary, as many resources are already available. We suggest:

(NB These are links to external sites for which BHIVA has no responsibility)


Routine Commissioning for PEP - Frequently Asked Questions

This additional FAQ on commissioning for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be useful for centres providing PEP (January 2022).


Writing group

Fiona Cresswell (Chair), Kaveh Asanati, Sanjay Bhagani, Marta Boffito, Valerie Delpech, Jayne Ellis, Julie Fox, Linda Furness, Nadi Gupta, Margaret Kingston, Massoud Mansouri, Amanda Samarawickrama, Kat Smithson, Alex Sparrowhawk, Paul Rafferty, Alison Rodger, Tom Roper, Laura Waters