This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

PrEP is a medicine that lowers the chance of getting HIV. In Pittsburgh, you can get it through a public health clinic, a community health center, a primary care office or a family planning center. Some of those options cost nothing.

This guide covers how PrEP works, who it is for, the different forms, what a first visit looks like, how people pay for it and where to go in Allegheny County. It is written for every gender, orientation and relationship type.

What PrEP is and how well it works

PrEP means pre-exposure prophylaxis. "Pre-exposure" means you take it before a possible exposure to HIV. "Prophylaxis" means prevention.

The medicine is prescribed by a clinician. It works by keeping HIV from taking hold in the body if the virus enters. PrEP is HIV prevention only. It does not treat other infections.

How well PrEP works

The CDC says daily oral PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when it is taken as prescribed. The CDC says it reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74%.

Those numbers depend on use. The CDC notes that PrEP is much less effective when it is not taken as prescribed. That is why picking a form you can stay with matters, and why the next sections walk through the choices.

What PrEP does not do

PrEP does not prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV or other STIs. It also does not prevent pregnancy. Condoms, vaccines, regular testing and treatment from a clinician all still play a role. You can use PrEP alongside any of them.

Why it matters in Allegheny County

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) reports 78 new HIV diagnoses in the county in 2024, a rate of 7.5 per 100,000 people ages 15 and older. For Pennsylvania as a whole, the same ACHD table lists 7.1 per 100,000 for ages 13 and older. ACHD's preliminary 2025 count is 53 new diagnoses.

These are population numbers. They say nothing about any one person's risk. They do show that HIV prevention is a live public health topic in the Pittsburgh area, and that it belongs in routine health care.

Who PrEP is for

PrEP is for HIV-negative people who may be exposed to HIV and want added protection. Only a clinician can decide whether it fits your situation. The CDC guidelines give clinicians a framework, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians offer PrEP to people at increased risk of HIV.

Situations where clinicians commonly discuss PrEP

The CDC says PrEP should be discussed with sexually active adults and adolescents, and with people who inject drugs, when there is a chance of HIV exposure. Examples a clinician may talk through with you include:

A partner who has HIV and does not have a suppressed viral load.
Sex without condoms with partners whose HIV status you do not know.
A recent bacterial STI, such as syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Sharing needles, syringes or other injection equipment.
Wanting extra protection for any reason, including peace of mind.

You do not have to fit a category to ask. If you are wondering about PrEP, that is enough reason to have the conversation. A good clinician will ask about your sex life and drug use in a plain, nonjudgmental way, and will not assume anything about you based on gender or orientation.

PrEP and pregnancy

People who are trying to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding may also be candidates for PrEP. This is a conversation to have with your prenatal care clinician or an HIV prevention clinic, because the right plan depends on your health history.

Young people

Pennsylvania's Act of Feb. 13, 1970 (35 P.S. 10103, Section 3) says any minor may give effective consent for medical and health services to determine the presence of or to treat venereal disease and other reportable diseases, and that no other person's consent is necessary. The statute text does not set a minimum age and does not mention parental notification. The ACHD Sexual Health Clinic says it sees anyone 13 and older without parental consent.

That law speaks to testing and treatment. It does not spell out PrEP, which is prevention. If you are under 18, ask the clinic how it handles PrEP, billing and insurance statements before your visit.

Types of PrEP: daily, on-demand and injectable

There is more than one way to take PrEP. Which one fits depends on your body, your health history, your habits and what a clinician recommends.

Daily oral PrEP

Daily oral PrEP is a pill taken once a day, as prescribed. It is the most established form. The CDC guidelines describe two oral medicine combinations approved by the FDA for PrEP, and which one is suitable depends on your kidney and bone health, your sex assigned at birth and the type of exposure.

The CDC says protection builds over time after starting. The time to full protection differs by type of sex, so ask your clinician how long to wait before relying on it. Many people pair PrEP with condoms during that period.

On-demand PrEP

On-demand PrEP is sometimes called "2-1-1" or event-driven PrEP. Instead of a daily pill, a person takes doses timed around sex.

This approach is not FDA-approved, and the CDC's clinical guidelines do not list it as a recommended option. Some other expert groups have described it for a narrow group of people. Because the timing has to be exactly right, it is a plan to build with a clinician, not to try on your own. Ask whether it is appropriate for you, and ask what your clinic recommends instead if it is not.

Injectable PrEP

Injectable PrEP is a shot given by a clinician at set intervals, so there is no daily pill. The CDC's 2021 PrEP guidelines added an injectable option. In clinical trials, the CDC reports, the injectable was more effective than daily oral PrEP, largely because people found it easier to stay on.

The FDA approved a second injectable PrEP medicine in 2025. Which injectables are offered, and which are covered by your plan, vary by clinic and insurer. Call ahead and ask what is available in Pittsburgh. If a clinic does not offer injectables, it may be able to refer you.

Choosing between them

If you prefer routines, a daily pill may be simple.
If pills are hard to remember or hard to keep private, ask about an injectable.
If your kidney function or bone health is a concern, your clinician may favor one option over another.
If you have hepatitis B, tell your clinician. Some PrEP medicines also affect hepatitis B, and stopping them needs a plan.

You can change forms later. Nothing about your first choice locks you in.

How to get PrEP: the visit and lab tests

PrEP requires a prescription, so you start with a clinician visit. Here is what to expect.

Step 1: Pick a clinic and call or walk in

Start with the options in the next section. Some clinics take walk-ins. Others require appointments. Hours change, so confirm before you go.

Step 2: A conversation about your health and exposures

A clinician will ask about your medical history, medicines, sexual activity, drug use, pregnancy plans and any symptoms. You can say what is true. Clinicians ask these questions to choose the right option, not to judge.

Step 3: Lab tests before you start

The CDC guidelines call for several baseline tests:

An HIV test. PrEP is for people who are HIV-negative. A clinician will interpret your result and explain what it means.
Kidney function. This is checked for people starting oral PrEP.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C tests. Hepatitis B status affects which medicine is safest. Hepatitis B vaccination may also be offered.
STI screening. Depending on your exposures, this may include syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia tests at different body sites.
A pregnancy test, when relevant.

If you have had a possible HIV exposure in the last few days, tell the clinician right away. You may be offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). See the PEP section below.

About HIV test timing

No test finds HIV the moment it enters the body. The CDC gives these windows after an exposure:

Nucleic acid tests: 10 to 33 days.
Antigen/antibody lab tests on a blood draw: 18 to 45 days.
Rapid antigen/antibody tests on a finger stick: 18 to 90 days.
Antibody tests: 23 to 90 days, and up to 90 days for self-tests.

If your last possible exposure was recent, tell the clinician so they can pick the right test and advise on a repeat.

Step 4: A prescription and a plan

If you and the clinician decide PrEP fits, you get a prescription or an injection plan. Ask the clinic about insurance, assistance programs and pharmacy questions. PrEP navigation is part of the service at many clinics.

Step 5: Follow-up

The CDC says people on PrEP should have an HIV test at least every three months. Visits usually include checking in on side effects, adherence, STI screening and refills. Kidney tests are done at intervals your clinician chooses. Plan on regular visits for as long as you take PrEP.

Side effects

Some people have mild side effects when starting, such as an upset stomach or headache. The CDC says these usually ease within a few weeks. Tell your clinician about anything that worries you before you stop on your own.

Where to get PrEP in Pittsburgh

These are the places in the Pittsburgh area that publish PrEP services. Details come from each organization's page or the CDC's GetTested directory. Hours and services can change, so call first.

Allegheny County Health Department Sexual Health Clinic

ACHD runs two sites. The Downtown clinic is in the Hartley Rose Building at 425 First Avenue, Fourth Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, with the entrance on Cherry Way. The McKeesport clinic is in the Wander Building at 339 Fifth Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132. For questions or appointments, call 412-578-8081. Details are on the ACHD Sexual Health Clinic page.

ACHD lists PrEP, non-occupational PEP (nPEP) and doxy-PEP among its services, along with STI testing, HIV testing, treatment and hepatitis C testing. ACHD lists the cost as free. Both sites take walk-ins, first come, first served. Appointments get priority.

Downtown hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 am to 3:45 pm. Thursday 11:30 am to 6:15 pm. Closed 12 to 1 pm for lunch, and on Thursday closed 2:30 to 3:30 pm instead.
McKeesport hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 3:45 pm, closed 12 to 1 pm for lunch.

ACHD says hours may vary on holidays. Another ACHD page shows different Downtown hours on Wednesdays, so call to confirm before you travel. ACHD also says it sees patients regardless of immigration status. Photo ID is not required to be seen but is required to receive results.

Allies for Health + Wellbeing

Allies is a nonprofit that provides HIV, STI and hepatitis C services. It is at 211 North Whitfield Street, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Its website lists PrEP and PEP. Phone: 412-345-7456. See the Allies free testing page.

Allies offers free walk-in testing at its office on Sundays, 9 to 11:15 am and 1 to 4:15 pm, plus weekly walk-in sites around the city. Its page has posted notices of canceled walk-in days, so check before you go. Allies says it accepts many insurance plans and offers financial assistance, but it does not publish prices. For a clinic visit, the CDC GetTested listing says appointments are required.

Central Outreach Wellness Center

Central Outreach is an LGBTQ-focused community health center at 127 Anderson Street, Suite 101 (Timber Court Building), Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Its website lists (412) 322-4151, and the CDC GetTested directory lists (412) 515-0000, so try either. The center lists PrEP, HIV testing and STI testing. It says it serves people with or without insurance and offers sliding-scale options. Its website posts hours of Monday and Thursday 9 am to 7 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 9 am to 5 pm and Friday 10 am to 5 pm, closed weekends. The CDC directory lists different Friday hours and says no appointment is required, so confirm before you go. Learn more at centraloutreach.com.

Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Family Planning Health Center is at 933 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, phone (412) 434-8971. The CDC GetTested listing shows HIV and STI testing and PrEP navigation, a sliding scale, and acceptance of insurance, Medicaid and Medicare. It also lists PrEP for uninsured patients. An appointment is required. The directory does not list hours.

University Family Medicine UPMC (Squirrel Hill)

This primary care office is at 5608 Wilkin Ave, Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, phone (412) 422-8762. The CDC GetTested listing shows PrEP navigation and HIV and STI tests, and says insurance and Medicaid are accepted. An appointment is required. The listing gives no price, so ask the office about eligibility and cost.

Your own primary care clinician

Many primary care clinicians can prescribe PrEP. If yours is not comfortable doing so, ask for a referral. You can also use the CDC's tool at gettested.cdc.gov to find more testing sites by ZIP code.

If you want to start with testing, our guide to STD testing in Pittsburgh covers where to go and what it costs.

What PrEP costs and how people pay

Cost is the most common worry about PrEP. The honest answer is that it depends on your coverage and where you go. No clinic or agency in the Pittsburgh area publishes a single price list for PrEP, so check with the clinic for exact amounts.

If you have no insurance or limited coverage

Start with ACHD. The Sexual Health Clinic lists PrEP and lists its cost as free. Allies lists free testing and says it offers financial assistance. Central Outreach and Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania list sliding-scale fees, and the CDC directory notes PrEP for uninsured patients at both.

When you call, ask three questions: What does the visit cost? What do the lab tests cost? How do I get the medicine itself? Clinic visits, labs and the medicine are often billed separately, so a free visit does not always mean a free pharmacy fill.

If you have insurance

The USPSTF recommends PrEP for people at increased risk of HIV and gives it a grade A. Under the Affordable Care Act, most private plans must cover USPSTF grade A and B preventive services without cost-sharing. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said in December 2024 that the ACA requires HIV PrEP at zero cost-sharing for insured Pennsylvanians.

In practice, the details vary. Some plans cover the medicine at no cost, but charge for the visit or require approval first. Call the number on your insurance card and ask what is covered under preventive care. The clinic's PrEP navigator can often help you read the answer.

Medication cost help from the state

The Pennsylvania Department of Health says its Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program helps residents with medication costs. The department's PrEP announcement is the source for this. A separate state PrEP assistance program was not something we could confirm, so ask the clinic or the department what is current and whether you qualify.

Medicaid and Medicare

The CDC GetTested listings show that Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania accepts Medicaid and Medicare, and that Central Outreach and University Family Medicine UPMC accept Medicaid. Coverage rules are set by your plan, so confirm before your visit.

What "HIV PrEP cost" looks like on paper

Think of three pieces: the clinic visits, the quarterly lab work and the medicine. A low-cost or free clinic may cover all three, or only the first two. Insurance may cover all three, or may bill part of it. Ask for the full picture up front, and ask whether a manufacturer assistance program or a clinic fund can cover any gap.

Free home test kits

ACHD says it offers free at-home test kits for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV, ordered at lumba.health/achd. A county flyer reportedly limits kits to Allegheny County residents age 16 or older, but we could not read it, so check the ACHD clinic page. These kits are for testing, not for PrEP, but they are a no-cost way to stay on top of screening between visits.

Staying on PrEP, other protection and testing

Taking it as prescribed

PrEP works best when it is taken the way your clinician prescribed. If you miss doses, run low or want to stop, call the clinic. Do not stop without a plan, especially if you have hepatitis B. If you stop PrEP, you can usually restart later with a new HIV test.

Testing for other STIs

Because PrEP does not protect against other infections, regular screening matters. Allegheny County's 2024 rates from ACHD were 421.3 chlamydia cases per 100,000 people (5,190 cases), 209.0 gonorrhea cases per 100,000 (2,574 cases) and 15.5 early syphilis cases per 100,000 (191 cases). ACHD's preliminary 2025 counts were 4,744 chlamydia cases, 1,850 gonorrhea cases and 109 early syphilis cases.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are bacterial infections that a clinician can treat with antibiotics. They are curable. Early testing and treatment protect you and your partners. Pennsylvania's rules (28 Pa. Code 27.21a) make HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and laboratory-confirmed chlamydia reportable to the health department within five work days. That reporting goes to public health, and it is how county staff track and respond to infections.

Some Pennsylvania clinicians can also provide treatment for a partner without a visit, a practice called expedited partner therapy. The CDC lists the legal basis in Pennsylvania as 35 P.S. 603 and 604. Which infections it covers was not something we could confirm, so ask your clinician.

Doxy-PEP

In 2024 the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex to reduce the risk of some bacterial STIs (doxy-PEP). The CDC's recommendation is for specific groups, including gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have had a bacterial STI in the past year, after a conversation with a clinician. ACHD lists doxy-PEP among its services. It does not replace PrEP, since it does not prevent HIV.

PEP: after a possible exposure

PEP is HIV medicine started after a possible exposure. The CDC says it must begin within 72 hours, and sooner is better. ACHD's Sexual Health Clinic offers nPEP and asks people to call the clinic for urgent PEP guidance at 412-578-8081. Allies also lists PEP on its website. If it is after hours or you cannot reach a clinic, an emergency department can evaluate you.

Hepatitis and other vaccines

ACHD lists hepatitis A and B, HPV and mpox vaccines at its McKeesport site, and hepatitis B titers at $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Planned Parenthood, Central Outreach and University Family Medicine UPMC list HPV vaccine as a service. Ask your clinician which vaccines suit you.

HIV and the law

Pennsylvania laws on HIV are changing. Secondary news reports say that Senate Bill 45 was signed in July 2026 and repeals an HIV-specific felony enhancement for prostitution-related offenses. We could not confirm the act number or section on an official page. If you have a legal question, talk with a legal aid group or attorney.

Your next step

If you are thinking about PrEP, the simplest first move is a test and a conversation. Call ACHD at 412-578-8081 or Allies at 412-345-7456, or find another site at gettested.cdc.gov. Ask about PrEP when you book. You do not need to have everything figured out to start.

PrEP in Pittsburgh: How to Get It, What It Costs and Who It Is For