HIV
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Cross Street Medical Clinic is approved to do HIV Testing by the Ministry of Health Singapore. Cross Street Medical offers all relevant HIV screening tests, PEP and PrEP. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
What is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)?
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a treatment for people who do not have HIV. HIV infection is prevented by taking antiretroviral (ART) drugs daily.
PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV if used properly. Daily PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%.
If you think you may need to take PrEP, talk to our doctors right away. Cross Street Medical offers PrEP. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
PrEP is most often prescribed as Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine), and in some cases as Descovy (tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine) or an approved generic equivalent. Your doctor will advise which option suits your medical history, as the two medications differ slightly in side effect profile and suitability.
When should we consider PrEP?
PrEP is recommended only for people who are at very high risk of HIV infection.
These include:
- Anyone who is in an ongoing relationship with an HIV-positive partner
- Anyone who is not in a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner and:
- who is either a homosexual or bisexual man who has anal sex without a condom or has been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months
- who is a heterosexual man or woman who does not regularly use condoms during sex with high risk partners (e.g., bisexual males, intravenous (IV) drug users)
Truvada vs Descovy: What's the Difference?
Both Truvada and Descovy combine two antiretroviral medications and are taken to prevent HIV infection. The main difference is the form of tenofovir used, which affects side effect profile rather than how well each option works when taken as prescribed.
| Truvada | Descovy |
Active ingredients | Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) + emtricitabine | Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) + emtricitabine |
Typical use case | Approved for all routes of sexual exposure and injecting drug use risk | Approved for sexual transmission risk, with a different kidney and bone safety profile |
Availability | Widely available, including generic equivalents | Branded option, generally higher cost |
Your doctor will confirm which option is suitable for you based on kidney function, bone health history, and the type of exposure risk involved.
How do we take PrEP?
PrEP is an oral drug (Truvada). You must take PrEP daily.
PrEP should be taken together with other forms of protection. These include:
- Always using condoms during sex
- Routine HIV testing with partners
- Choosing less risky forms of sex, such as oral sex
The 2021 Guidelines from the Center for Disease Control in the United States recommend the following testing.
| Tests required | |
| First visit | Baseline HIV test, creatinine clearance, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, Hepatitis B/C screening |
| 3 months | HIV test, creatinine clearance |
| 6 monthly | HIV test, creatinine clearance, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis |
Cross Street Medical Clinic is approved to do HIV Testing by the Ministry of Health Singapore. We offer HIV test, PrEP and PEP. Speak to our doctors today. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
Singapore’s National HIV Programme guidance follows a broadly similar monitoring schedule: a baseline HIV test and kidney function check before starting PrEP, repeat HIV testing and kidney function monitoring at 3 months, and continued testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections every 3 to 6 months while on PrEP.
Daily PrEP vs On-Demand (Event-Based) PrEP
The U.S. CDC Clinical Guidelines recommends daily PrEP. On-demand PreP ( 2-1-1 PrEP dosing) is not FDA approved.
However, given the efficacy demonstrated in the European clinic trials, the International AIDS Society-USA has recommended “2-1-1” dosing as an optional, off-label, alternative to daily dosing for MSM and some local guidelines have also recommended it for selected MSM.
On-demand dosing, sometimes called the 2-1-1 method involves taking 2 pills 2 to 24 hours before anticipated sexual activity, 1 pill 24 hours after the first dose, and 1 more pill 24 hours after that. On-demand dosing is not suitable for everyone and should only be used under medical guidance. You should discuss with your Doctor regarding the Pros and Cons of Daily PrEP and On-Demand PrEP.
Does PrEP have side effects?
PrEP is safe:
- It can cause side effects like nausea in some people, but side effects generally subside after a month
- No serious side effects have been observed
- No life threatening side effects have been observed
If you are taking PrEP, tell your doctor about any side effects that are severe or do not go away.
May we take PrEP after exposure to HIV?
PrEP is recommended for people who are at very high risk of HIV exposure.
When there is a single high-risk HIV exposure, such as unprotected sex, sexual assault and sharing needles with a potentially HIV positive person, there is another option:
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxisis) an emergency medication that must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.
If you want to reduce your risk of HIV infection, speak to our doctors about PEP.
What to Expect at Your First PrEP Consultation
- A discussion of your sexual health history and risk factors to assess if PrEP is appropriate for you
- A baseline HIV test, since PrEP is only suitable for individuals who are HIV-negative
- Kidney function blood tests, as PrEP medications are processed by the kidneys
- Screening for other sexually transmitted infections, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, as Hepatitis status affects how PrEP is managed
- A discussion of dosing options (daily or on-demand) and what follow-up visits will involve
Frequently Asked Questions About PrEP
When taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV through sex by more than 90%, and by a lower margin among people who inject drugs. Effectiveness depends on consistent use as directed by your doctor.
Daily PrEP is effective after completing a minimum of 7 consecutive days of medication. The medication should be taken daily. The effectiveness/protection is reduced if medication is not taken daily. On Demand PrEP is effective if taken as instructed.
PrEP should only be started or stopped under medical guidance. Your doctor will advise on safely stopping PrEP, including how long to continue dosing after your last potential exposure.
No. PrEP is taken regularly before potential exposure to reduce the risk of HIV infection. PEP is an emergency medication started within 72 hours after a specific high-risk exposure. They are used in different situations and are not interchangeable.
Yes. A baseline HIV test is required before starting PrEP, as PrEP is only suitable for individuals who are HIV-negative. Regular HIV testing is required while you are on PrEP.
No. PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, therefore consistent condom use is recommended together with regular STI screening.
On-demand dosing is an alternative to daily PrEP, where medication is taken just before sexual activity. It is only suitable for certain individuals and should be discussed with your doctor before use.
PrEP medications are also active against Hepatitis B, so stopping PrEP suddenly in someone with Hepatitis B requires medical supervision. Your doctor will screen for Hepatitis B before starting PrEP and manage this accordingly.
Medical Information Review
This page has been prepared for general patient education and should not replace a consultation with a doctor.
Reviewed by: Dr Reginald Tang
Clinic: Cross Street Medical Clinic
Last reviewed: 19 Jun 2026
References
When to seek medical advice
Please consult a doctor if you have symptoms, are unsure about your condition, or need advice on screening, testing, treatment, or follow-up care.
Conveniently located near Chinatown MRT in Singapore, Cross Street Medical Clinic provides comprehensive healthcare services for professionals, residents, and businesses in Chinatown, Raffles Place, and Shenton Way. Whether you need discreet STD screening, general health check-ups, vaccinations, or chronic disease management, our experienced doctors ensure quality care with minimal waiting time.