PrEP works best when taken as prescribed. An occasional missed dose usually doesn’t greatly reduce overall protection, but the more often you miss doses, the less reliable PrEP becomes. If you’re missing pills regularly (or stopping and restarting), talk with your provider—there may be easier adherence strategies or another PrEP option that fits better.
PrEP helps prevent HIV, but it doesn’t protect against most other STIs—so regular testing and barrier protection still matter.





