PrEP Clinic in Phuket: Start or Continue HIV PrEP, Walk In 24/7
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, Physician, Takecare Clinic Phuket. Last reviewed: September 2026.
“Two groups come to us for PrEP in Phuket. The first are long-stay visitors and expats who want protection while they are here. The second are people already on PrEP at home who packed too few tablets for a longer trip. Both are easy to help, but the order matters: we confirm a negative HIV test first, then prescribe, so PrEP never masks an infection that has already started.” Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan
Who PrEP is for
PrEP is for HIV-negative people whose sex life or circumstances carry an ongoing risk of HIV. That includes people with new or multiple partners who do not always use condoms, people with an HIV-positive partner who does not yet have an undetectable viral load, people who have needed PEP more than once, and people who have recently had a bacterial STI such as syphilis or gonorrhoea (gonorrhea). WHO recommends offering PrEP to anyone at substantial risk, regardless of gender or sexuality.
Taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent. It does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy, so condoms still matter for those.
Daily and event-driven PrEP
The standard regimen is one tablet of tenofovir disoproxil with emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) every day, a combination approved by the US FDA for PrEP and recommended by WHO. For receptive anal sex, protection builds after about 7 days of daily dosing. For vaginal or frontal sex, and for people who inject drugs, it takes about 21 days, because the drug reaches protective levels in vaginal tissue more slowly. Daily dosing suits everyone who can take PrEP.
Event-driven PrEP, also called on-demand or 2-1-1 dosing, is an option only for cisgender men who have sex with men. It means two tablets 2 to 24 hours before sex, one tablet 24 hours after the first dose, and one more 24 hours later. If sex continues over several days, one tablet is taken daily until 48 hours after the last sex. It is not recommended for vaginal or frontal sex, for transgender women taking oestrogen, or for anyone with hepatitis B, because stopping and starting tenofovir can cause a hepatitis B flare.
| Regimen | How to take it | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Daily PrEP | One tablet every day; protective after about 7 days (anal sex) or 21 days (vaginal sex, injecting) | Everyone who can take PrEP |
| Event-driven PrEP (2-1-1) | Two tablets 2 to 24 hours before sex, then one at 24 and one at 48 hours after the first dose | Cisgender men who have sex with men only, without hepatitis B |
| Moving from PEP to PrEP | Start daily PrEP straight after a 28-day PEP course if the HIV test is negative | People with ongoing risk after a recent exposure |
What happens at your PrEP visit
A doctor talks through your situation privately and in a discreet, non-judgemental way, and checks when you last had a possible exposure. If there was a risk in the last 72 hours, you need PEP first rather than PrEP; see PEP treatment in Phuket. Baseline tests include an HIV test, because PrEP alone is not enough to treat HIV and could lead to drug resistance; a kidney function blood test (creatinine and eGFR), because tenofovir is cleared by the kidneys; and a hepatitis B surface antigen test. We usually recommend a hepatitis C test and a full STD testing in Phuket panel at the same time, and a pregnancy test where relevant.
If your HIV test is negative and there is no reason to wait, you can usually leave with a supply from our on-site pharmacy the same day. If you are already on PrEP at home, bring your tablets or a photo of the pack and your last test dates, and we can assess and continue you without breaking your routine.
Most people have no side effects. A minority feel mild nausea, bloating or headache in the first few weeks, which usually settles. Tenofovir can slightly affect kidney function and bone density, which is why kidney tests are repeated.
Follow-up every 3 months
While on PrEP you need an HIV test every 3 months, along with a prescription renewal. Kidney function is rechecked regularly, usually every 6 to 12 months, or more often if you are over 50 or have kidney risk factors. STI screening every 3 months is sensible, because PrEP users often have more partners and the other infections usually cause no symptoms. Our HIV testing service in Phuket fits these checks into one short visit.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor straight away if you have missed several PrEP doses and had condomless sex, because you may need PEP. Come in soon if you develop a flu-like illness with fever, rash and swollen glands, which can be early HIV infection even while on PrEP if doses were missed. Tell us about any new kidney problems, bone fractures or medicines that affect the kidneys, such as regular high-dose anti-inflammatory painkillers.
Go to a hospital emergency department or call 1669 for severe allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face or lips with difficulty breathing.
Prevention and early detection
PrEP protects against HIV only. Combine it with condoms to reduce the risk of syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia, and get vaccinated against hepatitis B and HPV if you are not already protected. Early detection of other infections depends on regular testing, not symptoms. Take PrEP at the same time each day, and set a phone reminder, because missed doses are the main reason PrEP fails.
Visiting Takecare Clinic in Phuket
You can walk in at any hour to Takecare Clinic Bangtao (Cherngtalay), Takecare Clinic Kata-Karon or Takecare Clinic Patong. All three branches are open 24/7, and most visits take under 30 minutes.
To check before you come, message us on WhatsApp or call 081-718-9080. We confirm the price on WhatsApp before your visit. A doctor visit at your hotel or villa is available if you prefer privacy. Receipts and medical reports are provided on request, although many travel insurance policies do not cover preventive medicines, so check yours.
Related services and treatments
If your screen finds an infection, we can usually start treatment the same day, for example chlamydia treatment with doxycycline or antiviral herpes treatment for genital sores. Lip blisters from sun exposure respond to prompt cold sore treatment, and for women, unusual discharge is often bacterial vaginosis, covered on our BV treatment page. Kidney and liver checks are part of our wider blood tests in Phuket, and a walk-in doctor in Phuket is available around the clock for anything else.
Summary
PrEP is a highly effective way to prevent HIV for people with ongoing risk. Daily dosing works for everyone; 2-1-1 event-driven dosing is only for cisgender men who have sex with men without hepatitis B. You need a negative HIV test, a kidney check and a hepatitis B test to start, then an HIV test every 3 months. At Takecare Clinic Phuket you can start or refill PrEP in one walk-in visit, any time of day.
“PrEP works when it becomes a habit. Pair the tablet with something you do every day, like brushing your teeth, and book your 3-month test before you forget.” Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan
Frequently asked questions
Can I start PrEP the same day in Phuket?
Usually, yes. If your baseline HIV test is negative and you have had no risk in the last 72 hours, the doctor can prescribe PrEP and dispense it from our on-site pharmacy in the same visit. Kidney and hepatitis B results may follow, and we contact you if anything changes the plan. If there was a recent risk, you may need PEP first.
How long before PrEP protects me?
With daily dosing, protection for receptive anal sex builds after about 7 days, and for vaginal sex or injecting drug use after about 21 days. With 2-1-1 dosing, which is only for cisgender men who have sex with men, protection starts when the two loading tablets are taken 2 to 24 hours before sex.
I am already on PrEP at home. Can you refill it?
Yes. Bring your tablets or a photo of the pack, and details of your last HIV and kidney tests if you have them. If your last HIV test was more than 3 months ago, we test you first. We can then continue your supply so there is no gap while you are travelling.
Does PrEP protect against other STIs?
No. PrEP only prevents HIV. It does not protect against chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes or hepatitis, and it does not prevent pregnancy. Condoms reduce the risk of most other infections, and screening every 3 months finds infections early, when they are easiest to treat.
What are the side effects of PrEP?
Most people have none. Some notice mild nausea, bloating or headache in the first weeks, which usually passes. Tenofovir can slightly reduce kidney function and bone density, which is why kidney function is checked before starting and regularly afterwards. These changes usually reverse if PrEP is stopped.
Is PrEP covered by travel insurance?
Often not, because most travel policies cover illness and injury rather than preventive medicine, but check your policy. We confirm the price on WhatsApp before your visit and provide an itemised receipt and medical report if you want to claim from your insurer or your home health scheme.
Sources
CDC: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). WHO: HIV and AIDS fact sheet. NHS: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis, HIV prevention, tenofovir disoproxil, emtricitabine, TDF/FTC, daily PrEP, event-driven PrEP, on-demand PrEP, 2-1-1 dosing, men who have sex with men, baseline HIV test, creatinine, eGFR, kidney function, hepatitis B surface antigen, 3-monthly HIV testing, PEP, STI screening, WHO, CDC, NHS, Bangtao, Cherngtalay, Kata, Karon, Patong, Phuket, Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, Takecare Clinic Phuket.
This page is general health information and not a substitute for a medical consultation.