PrEPed in Japan

I have had no side effects at all, except feelings of reassurance and security!

I am just angry and frustrated that I didn't know about PrEP earlier and that it is not being promoted in countries like Japan or my home country (which promotes condoms only). I am angry because I believe I could have convinced my boyfriend to go on it and could have protected him from infection via PrEP.

by Anonymous in Tokyo

I recently self-initiated PrEP in Japan (using Truvada generic Tenvir-EM by Cipla), and I wanted to share my experience for anyone outside the U.S. who may face similar issues.

My Japanese boyfriend contracted HIV earlier this year. We found out after I contracted an STD from him and he tested positive for HIV (while I remained negative). We have been told by health workers that HIV infection rates are increasing significantly in Tokyo (anecdotally among young Japanese who like foreigners/tourists).

I found out about PrEP in the U.S. online but we were told by my boyfriend's doctor that Truvada is not covered for PrEP by Japan's health insurance system. I couldn't afford to pay for Truvada in full, so I decided to buy the Truvada generic Tenvir-EM for about $100 per month via a Japanese online pharmacy (manufactured by Cipla in India).

After several blood tests and my annual health check including kidneys (I will increase the kidney function check to four times a year going forward), I now self test for HIV monthly using the OraQuick oral-swab antibody 20-minute tests, which I buy from Amazon (about four at a time at a cost of $50 each). So the tests and pills cost me $150 per month in total (including shipping) but I think it is worth it.

I have had no side effects at all, except feelings of reassurance and security!

I am just angry and frustrated that I didn't know about PrEP earlier and that it is not being promoted in countries like Japan or my home country (which promotes condoms only). I am angry because I believe I could have convinced my boyfriend to go on it and could have protected him from infection via PrEP.

He is not on any HIV medication yet so we still use condoms when he tops me, but now that I am on PrEP I am more relaxed about things when I top him. The fear has gone and our relationship is stronger than ever, thanks to one small pill a day.

I believe every government and HIV organizations have a moral responsibility to make it as easy and cheap as possible for every gay man on the planet to be on PrEP and stop all new infections in the community. If it works 100 percent of the time for us who take it daily, it should be promoted as the first line of defense against HIV (together with condoms against other STDs).

I aim to let as many people know about PrEP as possible.