No, it is not necessary to take PrEP forever. With medical direction, it is possible to safely stop and re-start taking PrEP at different times throughout one’s life. Be sure to follow the direction of a knowledgeable healthcare provider when starting or stopping PrEP to ensure you’re still HIV-negative while using PrEP and you’re informed about how many doses are necessary before and after sex to get full protection.
If you’re ever considering stopping PrEP because you have gotten into a monogamous relationship with someone you believe to be HIV-negative, please note that a significant portion of HIV transmissions occur in the context of relationships that were thought to be monogamous, and HIV is most transmissible in the few months after someone acquires it, at which point they usually haven’t yet been diagnosed. PrEP can help give you peace of mind even during monogamous relationships.
