It is possible to get fake PEP in Bangkok?

[Danny76]

Hi,

 

I had unprotected sex with a street whore in Bangkok and 12 hours later in a small clinic in Bangkok received PEP (Truvada and isentress), which I have been taking now for 3 days.

 

I have looked on the Internet and there it says, on the Truvada tablets is on the front "Gilead" and on the back "701". however, there is no number on my tablets. That's why I'm a bit worried that I might have got fake pills. otherwise, the pills look just like the internet and were produced in 2016. In addition, I have no side effects except for a little soft bowel movements and mild nausea after the first tablet. There are many horror stories on the internet about the side effects and I have almost none. How likely is it that I got fake drugs from the private clinic?

 

Best Thanks for your Help!

 

Greetings

[Peterw42]

Thailand has fake and copy drugs, sold at markets or non reputable pharmacies without a prescription etc, I have never heard of fake drugs being sold via a prescription or doctors clinic. Maybe buy some from a reputable pharmacy and compare, or take them to the pharmacy and check if they appear real. A reputable pharmacy would probably be aware of fakes and how to identify, if fakes exist.

 

[Sheryl]

This is not sold in pharmacies.

 

The  Truvada registered for sale in Thailand looks exactly like what you show in your picture, it does not have a number on the back.

 

Shown in MIMS (official directory of approved drugs in Thailand) the link is here but you have to register to use the site http://www.mims.com/thailand/drug/info/truvada/?type=brief

 

People vary greatly in whether they experience side effects and, if so, how badly.

 

So neither your lack of severe side effects nor the appearance of the tablets is cause for concern.

 

That said, some rather questionable for-profit clinics have sprung up lately pushing PeP (sometimes when not indicated)  and IMO are best avoided. In future - or for others who may be reading - go to the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic  http://en.trcarc.org/?page_id=14

or

Silom Community Clinic http://www.silomclinic.in.th/services.html

 

Both will cost less than private clinics.

 

Or, if you prefer and don't mind spending considerably more, see  Dr. Asda at Bumrungrad (excellent HIV specialist)

[davevi]

It's not PEP it is called PrEP.  The pills appear to be absolutely correct, including the special notice on the bottle that "prevents" them from being re-imported to the places like the US where Truvada is sold for 1,000's of USD per one month supply.  Did you get a Hep test before you started this medication?  If you didn't, you needed one first and need to get yourself to Bumrungrad (see below).

 

Do not mess around with a street clinic in the city.  One of the top HIV specialists in Asia works in Bangkok out of Bumrungrad.  His name is Dr. Asda.  Get in to see him right away.  Do NOT see the other specialist named Annuwat, only Asda.  Asda will do the proper tests, confirm you meds, answer you questions.  Why would you trust a street clinic with this?  Why?

 

You can find Asda's schedule on the hospital's website.

 

[Sheryl]

PEP and PrEP are two different things.

 

PEP = post exposure prophylaxis. It is taken for a month after someone has had a high risk exposure. It has to be initiated very quickly to be effective in reducing the risk of becoming infected and the risks of the drugs need to be weighed against the degree of risk in the exposure. The private clinics I mention tend not to do this and rather to prey on people's fears in a way which does not help them make an informed decision.

 

PrEP = pre exposure prophylaxis. This is for people who regularly engage in high risk sex and is taken indefinitely (or until such a time as  their sexual behavior substantially changes).

 

The OP is taking PEP.

 

Agree re Dr. Asda, he is absolutely top notch.

 

Staff at the TRC  Anon Clinic and SIlom Clinic (which is public, not private)   are also quite capable and unlike the private clinics have no financial incentive to push PEP or PrEP on people whose level of risk does not warrant it.

 

I neglected to mention that the Silom Clinic was established specifically to serve the needs of gay men. Straight men are certainly welcome, but might feel more comfortable at the TRC Anonymous clinic and vice versa.

[rodentwarrior]

Taking PrEP has become very popular in the UK, and has led to an explosion of sexually transmitted diseases.

 

Condoms are not just useful for preventing babies.

 

PrEP is purely HIV centric.  Do you want a list of Sexually Transmitted Infections that are oblivious to PrEP?

 

[chakatee]

On 11/18/2017 at 5:21 PM, Danny76 said:

I had unprotected sex with a street whore

I hope she'll have herself checked after having unprotected sex with a German Kerb-crawler

[KiChakayan]

If you have been treated by Pulse (Silom)  no worries... Been there and got refund from my insurance for Stribild PEP. Still "kicking" and ....

[KiChakayan]

On 7/19/2018 at 11:26 AM, chakatee said:

I hope she'll have herself checked after having unprotected sex with a German Kerb-crawler

Well, the only safe way not to have unprotected sex is not to have sex. But that's up to you....

Would be so sad though..