Long term sexual health also includes preventing HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has become a well established prevention option for those who may be at risk of exposure to the virus. Online health services in Canada have enabled people who qualify to consider obtaining a prescription for PrEP without having to attend an appointment in person. But it’s important to understand medication needs, eligibility, costs and ongoing testing before choosing a provider.
Felix Health PrEP HIV Risk Reduction is an online healthcare service that connects eligible Canadians with licensed healthcare practitioners who will determine their eligibility for HIV prevention medication. The service is an alternative to booking an appointment through a traditional clinic, but currently available only in Ontario, based on Felix’s published provincial service information. In this guide we’ll walk you through how the service works, the pros and cons, safety considerations and what other options exist.
PrEP HIV Risk Reduction = Get pre-exposure prophylaxis online with Felix Health. PrEP is a prescription medicine that people who do not have HIV take to reduce the chance of getting HIV. How does it work? It stops the virus from causing infection in the body after you have been exposed. This is especially important for people whose sexual practices or other behaviours may put them at increased risk for HIV exposure.
Felix is an online healthcare platform that allows people to complete a medical assessment and have their information reviewed by a licensed Canadian healthcare practitioner. The practitioner may write a PrEP prescription, if appropriate. The process is designed to reduce the need for traditional appointments, with communication usually taking place through secure messaging online. However, an online assessment does not ensure a prescription, and may require additional testing or medical information.
PrEP usually refers to the drugs with active ingredients tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF/FTC). These are proven options for HIV prevention in Canada. Felix’s service is meant to give access to appropriate prevention treatment, not to replace routine sexual health care. Patients still need HIV testing, appropriate blood work and ongoing clinical monitoring while on PrEP.
The first step in the Felix Health PrEP HIV Risk Reduction process is an online health assessment. People report their medical history, current medications, sexual health and risk factors for HIV exposure. These details help the healthcare practitioner decide if PrEP is suitable and whether any further investigations are needed. The practitioner may request laboratory testing prior to making a prescribing decision.
Once an individual is approved, prescribed medication can be dispensed through the relevant pharmacy arrangements. Daily oral PrEP means taking one pill every day, as prescribed. Regular use of medication builds up protective drug concentrations in relevant body tissues. Canadian guidelines also acknowledge event-based or 2-1-1 dosing with TDF/FTC for appropriate populations but this approach is not suitable for everyone and should only be considered with professional guidance.
Continuous surveillance is a critical component of therapy. People taking oral PrEP usually need to be tested for HIV every three months, and also have their kidney function tested appropriately and be screened for other sexually transmissible infections. Your healthcare practitioner may also request you to undergo hepatitis testing and other investigations. Felix’s model for online communication can facilitate follow-up, but patients still have to do the required laboratory work and respond to requests for monitoring.
An advantage of Felix Health PrEP HIV Risk Reduction may be easy access to medical evaluation. People who struggle to get appointments for traditional sexual health services might like the option of submitting medical information online. The platform also provides private messaging with healthcare practitioners, which could make it easier to talk about sensitive sexual health issues. However, some situations require additional consults or a face to face medical evaluation.
Another key advantage is that when taken properly, PrEP is very effective in preventing HIV. Daily oral PrEP taken consistently can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV through sexual exposure by approximately 99%. This is a proven strategy to protect individuals who may be in need of further protection. But effectiveness depends on compliance, on appropriate choice of medication, and on adherence to the recommended testing schedule.
Another consideration is access to professional assessment. Felix says its online assessments are reviewed by Canadian healthcare practitioners licensed in the relevant province. This allows prescribing decisions to take individual medical circumstances into account, rather than relying solely on automated questionnaires. But an online platform cannot replace all facets of comprehensive sexual health care, especially when symptoms, complicated medical histories or urgent concerns require hands-on examination.
Convenience and delivery arrangements may also reduce some practical barriers to obtaining prescription medication. Eligible prescriptions qualify for free delivery with Felix. But the cost of the medication, provincial coverage, eligibility for prescriptions, and availability of services must be considered separately. free delivery doesn't necessarily mean that every patient receives free medicine.
PrEP is generally well tolerated, but the medication can cause side effects. Nausea, headaches, stomach discomfort and fatigue are common side effects of oral TDF/FTC, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment. These effects