Private HIV PEP clinic in London, within the 72-hour window.
Same-day, evening and weekend starts by a BHIVA-trained clinician - the first dose in the room, a full 28-day course and follow-up testing at 6 and 12 weeks. Confidential, and off your GP record unless you ask.
Indicative pricing
What private HIV PEP costs in London.
Indicative ranges across UK private providers. PEP is also free on the NHS via A&E and GUM clinics - the private route buys speed, out-of-hours access and complete confidentiality.
In short
PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure - private urgent consultation plus starter pack: £350–£600.
| Service | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urgent PEP consultation + starter pack (5 days) | £350–£600 | 30–45 min | Same day |
| Full 28-day PEP course + medication | £450–£900 | Included | 28-day supply |
| Follow-up HIV testing at 6 & 12 weeks | £150–£300 | 15 min each | 24–72 hours |
| Baseline STI + hepatitis screen | £200–£350 | 15–20 min | 48–72 hours |
| Emergency out-of-hours fee | £150–£300 | On top | Evenings & weekends |
| Consultation only | £200–£350 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by the time of day and by which regimen and follow-up testing you need. NHS PEP is available free via A&E and GUM clinics - the private route matters when the 72-hour clock is running out of hours, at weekends or where NHS access is delayed.
The problem
The 72-hour clock does not care what time it is.
PEP is free on the NHS via A&E and GUM clinics - but out-of-hours access, weekends and rural gaps can delay the first dose. We fix all three so you start the course inside the window.
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It happened last night. Can I still start?
Yes - inside 72 hours you are still in the window. Every hour matters, and starting today is meaningfully better than starting tomorrow.
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Do I really need to sit in A&E for this?
A&E and GUM clinics do offer PEP free. The private route matters at 2am, on a Sunday, out of London, or when you want it off your GP record.
When it helps
When HIV PEP is the right call.
The exposures BHIVA supports PEP for, plus the one red flag that means an urgent HIV RNA test alongside the standard course.
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Condomless sex with an unknown or positive partner
Receptive or insertive, anal or vaginal, with a partner whose status is unknown or known-positive and not on suppressive treatment.
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Condom failure
The condom slipped, split or was removed without consent - with a partner whose HIV status you do not know to be undetectable.
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Sexual assault
PEP is offered after sexual assault regardless of the assailant’s known status. We work alongside SARC pathways and can start you immediately.
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Needle-stick injury
A sharps injury from a discarded needle or in a clinical setting - start PEP now and let baseline testing follow.
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Sharing injecting equipment
Shared needles, syringes or works with someone whose HIV status is unknown or known-positive.
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Occupational exposure
Healthcare workers, first responders, tattooists - mucosal or percutaneous exposure to blood or high-risk body fluids.
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Partner with a detectable viral load
A regular partner living with HIV who is not on treatment or whose viral load is not confirmed undetectable - after any condomless sex.
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Red flag: acute HIV seroconversion symptoms
Fever, sore throat, rash, swollen glands or flu-like illness 2–4 weeks after exposure - needs an urgent HIV RNA test, not just PEP.
Regimen and clinical detail
What the 28-day course actually involves.
The BHIVA regimen, the 72-hour rule, the baseline tests that go alongside and what to think about once the course is done.
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First-line 3-drug regimen
BHIVA first choice: tenofovir disoproxil / emtricitabine (Truvada) once daily plus raltegravir 400 mg twice daily or dolutegravir 50 mg once daily, for 28 days.
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The 72-hour window
PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure and ideally within 24. After 72 hours the evidence no longer supports it - and every hour inside the window matters.
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Baseline testing
HIV Ag/Ab, hepatitis B surface antigen and core antibody, hepatitis C, syphilis, chlamydia/gonorrhoea NAAT, renal function and pregnancy test. The first dose does not wait.
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Hepatitis B evaluation
Tenofovir/emtricitabine treats hepatitis B - so if you are chronically infected, stopping PEP at 28 days can cause a flare.
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Emergency contraception if needed
After condomless vaginal sex, emergency contraception is offered alongside PEP - levonorgestrel, ulipristal or copper IUD depending on timing and preference.
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STI empirical treatment
Where clinically appropriate - particularly after assault - empirical treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomonas is offered alongside the PEP course.
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Drug interactions review
Statins, hormonal contraception, antacids, anti-epileptics and some recreational drugs interact with the PEP regimen. We go through your medications line by line.
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Transitioning to PrEP after PEP
If ongoing exposure risk is likely, you can move straight from the last dose of PEP onto daily PrEP without a break - we plan and prescribe that at the 4-week review.
Safety and adherence
What to expect on the course - honestly.
PEP is a well-established regimen with a strong safety record. The things worth planning are the 72-hour window, the full 28 days of adherence and the interactions with your other medications.
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The 72-hour hard window
PEP is not offered after 72 hours from exposure - the evidence does not support it. Inside the window, sooner is meaningfully better than later.
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Adherence over the full 28 days
PEP only works if you complete all 28 days. Missed or late doses reduce protection - we set a reminder plan with you at the first appointment.
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GI and fatigue side effects
Nausea, diarrhoea, headache and tiredness are common in the first week.
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Renal monitoring
Tenofovir can affect kidney function. Baseline creatinine and a repeat at follow-up cover it; we adjust the regimen if your eGFR is borderline.
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Drug interactions
Statins, some hormonal contraceptives, antacids containing aluminium/magnesium, anti-epileptics, PPIs and recreational drugs can interact - bring a full medication list.
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Pregnancy considerations
PEP is safe in pregnancy and the regimen is not changed. If you may have conceived from the exposure, emergency contraception is a separate, additional conversation.
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Hepatitis B flare risk
If you have chronic hepatitis B, stopping the tenofovir/emtricitabine at day 28 can cause a hepatitis flare - we plan hepatology follow-up or continue treatment.
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Follow-up HIV testing is essential
A repeat HIV test at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after exposure (per BHIVA) is how PEP is proven to have worked - not an optional extra.
Reading your clinic note
Your PEP note in four parts. Read the last one first.
A quiet reminder
Sexual-health language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your day-10 review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Exposure and indication
What happened, when it happened, the partner or source risk, and why PEP was indicated under BHIVA criteria - plus the exact time of the first dose.
- 02 Technique
Regimen and counselling given
The drugs prescribed and dose (tenofovir/emtricitabine plus raltegravir or dolutegravir), what you were told about side effects, adherence and interactions.
- 03 Findings
Baseline blood and STI results
HIV Ag/Ab, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, chlamydia/gonorrhoea, renal function and pregnancy test - each with the result and what it means for the plan.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Sexual-health emergencies are not always covered by outpatient policies - many patients self-pay for the urgency and privacy.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about HIV PEP.
Quick answers on what counts as exposure, the 72-hour window, the regimen, side effects, follow-up testing and cost.
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What actually counts as an HIV exposure?
The main categories are condomless anal or vaginal sex with a partner whose HIV status is unknown or known-positive without confirmed viral suppression, condom failure in the same setting, sexual assault, a needle-stick or shared injecting equipment, and occupational blood exposure. Oral sex, biting and spitting are very low risk and rarely warrant PEP. We assess your specific situation on the triage call.
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How quickly do I need to start PEP?
Within 72 hours of the exposure - that is the hard cut-off in the BHIVA guidance. We do not offer PEP after 72 hours because the evidence does not support it, but we can start baseline testing and a PrEP conversation instead.
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What drugs will I be on for the 28 days?
The BHIVA first-line regimen is tenofovir disoproxil / emtricitabine (Truvada) once daily, combined with raltegravir 400 mg twice daily or dolutegravir 50 mg once daily. It is a well-tolerated three-drug course. We choose between raltegravir and dolutegravir based on your other medications, whether pregnancy is possible and your renal function.
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What side effects should I expect?
Most people get some nausea, tiredness, headache or loose stools in the first week - usually manageable with food, hydration and paracetamol. A minority develop a rash or altered mood. Do not stop early on your own for mild symptoms - call first.
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What follow-up testing do I need afterwards?
We also repeat STI screening, hepatitis B and C where relevant, and check renal function. If ongoing exposure risk is likely, the 4-week review is where we plan a transition from PEP straight onto daily PrEP with no break in cover.
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How much does private PEP cost, and could I just go to A&E?
You absolutely can go to A&E or a GUM clinic - PEP is free on the NHS and that is often the right route, especially in daytime hours in central London. The private route costs £250–£600 for the urgent consultation plus a starter pack, rising to £450–£900 for the full 28-day course, and matters when you need an evening, weekend or out-of-hours start, a specific specialist, complete confidentiality, or you are outside a big city and cannot get to a GUM clinic quickly. The 72-hour clock decides which route makes sense.
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