Truvada gains HRC Endorsement

The relatively new HIV-prevention treatment drug, Truvada, gained a new ally recently: The Human Rights Campaign. The largest gay rights organization technically endorsed Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Truvada is currently the only PrEP treatment approved for such treatments.

“When taken as prescribed by a knowledgeable healthcare provider, and paired with other safer sex practices, Truvada can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by upwards of 90 percent,” HRC said in a statement.

HRC suggests Truvada for “populations deemed most vulnerable to HIV infection,” but refrain from advising all men who have sex with men from taking it. “Truvada is not right for all individuals, and any medical decision should be made in concert with a knowledgeable healthcare provider.”

HRC also advises that Truvada not be used as a replacement for condoms, as individuals are not protected from other STIs when on a Truvada regimen. “With STDs such as syphilis on the rise, and with their capacity to lead to life-threatening conditions if untreated, it’s essential for sexually active individuals to protect themselves and always engage in safer sex practices and get tested regularly.”

Read Human Rights Campaign’s full statement here.