A same-day start may be possible when the clinical assessment and HIV testing support it. Your clinician will select the medication and follow-up plan.
If a possible HIV exposure happened within the past 72 hours, seek an urgent PEP evaluation now. PrEP is ongoing prevention before future exposures; PEP is emergency medicine after a recent exposure.
These points affect medication safety, test timing, or follow-up. The linked primary guidance supports each summary.
A same-day start uses a rapid HIV test plus laboratory antigen/antibody and HIV RNA testing unless qualifying laboratory results exist from the prior seven days. Pending results must be reviewed and acted on within seven days.
CDC recommends F/TDF for sexual or injection-drug exposure risk. The FDA PrEP label for Truvada describes reduction of sexually acquired HIV-1, so the recommendation and labeled indication are not identical.
Standard oral PrEP uses a daily tablet taken consistently for ongoing HIV prevention.
A negative HIV test is required before starting and at regular follow-up visits.
The clinician considers exposure type, kidney function, hepatitis B, other medicines, and insurance coverage.
The exact plan depends on your history, test results, coverage, and medication choice. These are the usual steps.
Discuss sexual health, injection-drug exposure when relevant, recent symptoms, prior PrEP or PEP, and medication preferences.
Confirm HIV-negative status and complete kidney, hepatitis B, STI, or lipid testing when indicated for the medication being considered.
Choose an approved daily oral PrEP option that fits the exposure pattern, health history, and laboratory results.
Send the prescription to the appropriate pharmacy and review insurance, generic options, and eligible assistance programs.
Repeat HIV testing, review adherence and side effects, screen for STIs as indicated, and renew the prescription safely.
CDC lists two daily oral PrEP combinations: emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, commonly called F/TDF or Truvada/generic, and emtricitabine with tenofovir alafenamide, commonly called F/TAF or Descovy.
CDC recommends F/TDF for people with sexual or injection-drug exposure risk. The FDA PrEP indication for F/TDF is reduction of sexually acquired HIV-1. F/TAF is approved for sexual HIV prevention except for people at risk through receptive vaginal sex, because effectiveness for that exposure has not been studied. A clinician will confirm which option is appropriate.
Tell the clinician if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding. The medication choice should account for exposure route, available pregnancy and infant-safety data, kidney health, hepatitis B, and your prevention goals.
For same-day PrEP initiation in New York, clinicians obtain a rapid HIV test and order a laboratory antigen/antibody test plus HIV RNA unless qualifying laboratory results are available from the prior seven days. Medication may start while results are pending when the rapid test and clinical assessment support it, but the results must be reviewed and acted on within seven days.
Oral-fluid rapid tests are not preferred for a same-day start because they can miss recent infection. A possible exposure within the prior 72 hours requires PEP assessment before PrEP.
Same-day prescribing is not automatic. Recent PrEP or PEP use, symptoms that could represent acute HIV, an unclear test result, kidney concerns, or another clinical issue may require additional testing before medication starts.
CDC estimates that daily oral PrEP reaches maximum protection for receptive anal sex at about 7 days of daily use. For receptive vaginal sex and injection-drug exposure, maximum protection can take up to about 21 days. The time to maximum protection for insertive vaginal or anal sex is unknown. A clinician should advise when you can rely on PrEP and whether another prevention method is needed while levels build.
CDC recommends HIV testing and a PrEP follow-up at least every three months for oral PrEP. Kidney testing, STI screening, hepatitis B care, and lipid monitoring are scheduled according to the medication, age, health history, and results.
These clinics are included in the current oral PrEP booking route. Open the service-specific scheduler to confirm current appointments and location availability.
Bronx
932 E 174th St, Bronx, NY 10460
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Queens
37-15 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Bronx
2063A Bartow Ave, Bronx, NY 10475
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Brooklyn
341 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Long Island
232 W Old Country Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Queens
80-10 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Queens
90-18 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Queens
30-07 36th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Long Island
135 Mineola Blvd, Mineola, NY 11501
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Manhattan
259 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
Brooklyn
308 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Book the oral PrEP route to confirm evaluation, HIV testing, and current appointment availability at this clinic. Medication starts only after the required clinical assessment.
The right option depends on whether the need is urgent after an exposure, ongoing prevention, or testing.
| Care option | Typical schedule | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Oral PrEP | One pill each day for standard daily PrEP | Flexible and widely used; adherence and laboratory follow-up matter |
| Apretude | Gluteal injection monthly for the first two doses, then every two months | No daily pill; requires regular injection visits |
| Yeztugo | Two subcutaneous injections every six months after starter dosing | Longest interval; approved for sexual HIV prevention |
Clinical facts in this overview were checked against the following primary guidance and prescribing information.
Published by Nao Medical.
Updated August 1, 2026. This information is not a substitute for an individual medical evaluation. A licensed clinician determines medication eligibility, testing, dosing, and follow-up. Contact Nao Medical with a question or correction.
Choose the care path that matches your timing, then let the Nao Medical team coordinate testing, coverage, and follow-up.
Book an oral PrEP evaluationGeneral information only. This page is not medical advice and does not replace diagnosis, treatment, or guidance from a licensed clinician.
Content was updated August 1, 2026 from the sources cited on this page. Medical guidance, prescribing information, medication availability, and insurance rules can change. A licensed clinician must confirm current information and determine each patient's eligibility, testing, treatment, administration setting, and follow-up. Call 911 for a medical emergency. Contact Nao Medical with a question or correction.
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