PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) in France is known as TPE (Traitement Post-Exposition). It is a 28-day course of emergency HIV medication. It must be started within 72 hours of a high-risk exposure (e.g., a condom break with a partner of unknown status), but the sooner you start it, the more effective it is. In France, the medication is fully covered by the state.
🚨 Where to Go Right Now
Do not wait for a convenient appointment. Your route depends entirely on the time of day and what is open.
| Time / Day | Where to Go | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday (Daytime) | CeGIDD or Infectious Disease Dept. | Call ahead and state it is an emergency. They will prioritize you. |
| Nights / Weekends / Bank Holidays | Urgences (Hospital ER) | Go to the nearest public hospital emergency room. |
Do not go to a standard neighborhood doctor (médecin de ville) or a pharmacy. Only hospitals and specialized CeGIDDs have the emergency starter packs on hand.
🗣️ Navigating Triage
Whether at the Urgences or a CeGIDD, you must use the correct French acronym so the triage nurse understands this is a time-critical emergency.
- Use the terminology: "J'ai besoin d'un TPE (Traitement Post-Exposition) suite à un risque sexuel." (I need TPE following a sexual risk.)
- State the timeline: "L'exposition a eu lieu il y a [X] heures." (The exposure was [X] hours ago.)
- Be direct about the exposure: Do not downplay it. They will only prescribe TPE if the risk profile justifies it (e.g., receptive anal sex without a condom).
The Starter Pack: The hospital emergency room will usually only give you a 2-to-4 day starter pack of medication. The follow-up is mandatory. You must then secure a follow-up appointment with a specialist or a CeGIDD on the next working day to get the prescription for the rest of the 28-day course.
💊 The Medication: What to Expect
The standard French TPE regimen usually consists of Truvada (or a generic equivalent) taken alongside an integrase inhibitor — typically dolutegravir (Tivicay).
- It is a strict regimen: TPE is not a morning-after pill. It is a mandatory 28-day course, and you cannot miss doses.
- Side effects are manageable: You may experience nausea, fatigue, or diarrhea, though not everyone does. The clinic will often prescribe anti-sickness medication alongside your PEP.
- Do not stop: Never stop taking PEP without speaking to a doctor first.
💶 Cost
TPE is fully covered by the French state with no out-of-pocket cost, regardless of your insurance status:
- Assurance Maladie registrants: 100% covered, no co-payment.
- EU/EEA visitors with EHIC: Covered at French public rates.
- Non-EU visitors or uninsured: Emergency care is provided. A bill may follow — manage it afterward. The 72-hour window cannot wait.
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