PrEP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) is a safe and effective medication that can greatly reduce your risk of HIV infection. PrEP can be either pills or shots (injections). The pill contains two medicines that are also used to treat HIV. If someone takes PrEP and is exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, these medicines can work to keep the virus from taking hold in their body. PrEP injections are prescribed for every two months. When taken as directed, PrEP is safe and highly effective in preventing HIV infection. PrEP is even more effective if it is combined with other ways to prevent new HIV infections like condom use, drug abuse treatment, and treatment for people living with HIV to reduce the chance of passing the virus to others.