The European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) has updated its clinical guidelines, allowing event-based PrEP for all groups of people, including cisgender women, transgender, and non-binary individuals.
PrEP on a 2:1:1 or 2:7 regimen is now a universal approach
The new guidelines confirm that event-based PrEP is safe and effective for everyone. The 2:1:1 regimen involves taking two pills two hours before sex, one 24 hours later, and another 48 hours later.
For people who stop PrEP after sexual contact, it is sufficient to continue taking it for another seven days (2:7 regimen). This allows them to avoid daily medication without losing protection against HIV.
Previously, this regimen was not officially recommended for women or transgender people due to insufficient evidence. Now, the EACS has confirmed its effectiveness for everyone, paving the way for wider use of PrEP among groups that were previously overlooked.
“This is a big step forward. People who don’t want to or can’t take daily pills finally have a flexible and safe option,” said members of the EACS panel.
Experts hope that this change in recommendations will help increase the number of PrEP users in Europe, especially among those with episodic risks.
According to researchers, expanding the choice—daily, on-demand, or injectable PrEP—may be the key to reducing new HIV cases.