Preventing HIV & STIs: Quick PrEP, nPEP & DoxyPEP
Quick STI, PrEP, nPEP & DoxyPEP
Get Same-Day & Next-Day Healthcare Services in Tampa Bay
Convenient Scheduling at Nine Local Health Centers
Schedule online for next-day and upcoming appointments at any of our nine Tampa Bay health centers.
Quick STI Testing, PrEP, nPEP, & DoxyPEP Prescriptions
Get tested and receive your oral medications in one visit, with all labs conveniently completed onsite. Starting oral PrEP is fast—often taking just 1 hour. (Note: Starting a long-acting injectable PrEP option requires a few planned visits, which our team will seamlessly coordinate).
Please note:Because nPEP and DoxyPEP must be started within72 hours of exposure, please walk in or contact us directly at 727-321-3854 ext. 9003 to schedule an appointment.
Same-Day & Next-Day PrEP Access
Walk in for a same-day prescription, or secure an upcoming appointment through our online portal in as little as 24 hours.
Schedule Online Today
Secure your appointment easily through our online portal. On day one, you are linked to a navigator who works through every detail—from insurance coverage and STI testing to scheduling with a provider and filling your prescription.
We serve St. Pete, Tampa, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Brandon. Most patients pay little to nothing. Plus, through our Copay It Forward program, insured prescriptions have helped support over $4 million in free patient care for our neighbors since 2018—at no extra cost to you.
PrEP for HIV Prevention: From Daily Pills to Injectables; Which is Right for You?
What is PrEP?
Medical HIV prevention used to mean one option: taking a pill every day. There are now three distinct paths to HIV prevention—a daily pill, an injection every two months, or an injection every six months. Each comes with different tradeoffs.
“Awareness of options to prevent HIV has never been higher, and that’s the good news. However, getting from the ‘what’s right for you’ to a filled prescription is a complex process. Our navigators ensure comprehensive STI testing, insurance approval, and pharmacy coordination all work as one seamless unit.” — Dr. Luke Johnsen, Medical Director
The Three Options, at a Glance
Oral PrEP (Truvada, Descovy): A once-daily pill. It is the most established option, the fastest to start (often same-day), and the easiest to stop.
Cabotegravir (Apretude): An injection given in the buttock every two months. Getting started requires an initial visit with monthly “loading” doses.
Lenacapavir (Yeztugo): An injection given twice a year. Getting started involves two injections plus a two-day oral tablet course, then just one injection every six months.
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What to Consider Before Choosing
Health History & Drug Interactions
What’s already in your medicine cabinet matters. Oral PrEP can impact kidney function or cholesterol in some patients. Injectables have strict interactions with certain seizure medications and TB antibiotics. Our Navigators will review your full history to catch any details that change which option is right for you.
The Injection Experience & Extra Testing
Injections can cause soreness or a firm nodule at the site, and they require a stricter testing schedule. Because injectable PrEP carries a risk of drug resistance if taken while unknowingly HIV-positive, you must take a highly sensitive, in-clinic HIV test before every single injection.
Stopping Injectables Takes Time
Injectable PrEP is long-acting by design. Cabotegravir and lenacapavir can remain in your body for 12 months or longer after your last injection. If you stop the shots, you will need to transition to oral PrEP to stay fully protected while the drug levels taper off.
Why this is worth a real conversation, not just a prescription
Ready to talk through your options? Schedule a PrEP consultation with our team. We’ll walk through what fits your life and your risk profile, backed by more than three decades of doing this work in Tampa Bay.
nPEP can Prevent HIV After an Exposure
What is nPEP for HIV Prevention?
A short-term, emergency treatment, nPEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) can prevent HIV if taken within 72 hours of exposure. Contact us at 727-321-3854 ext. 9003 or visit any Tampa Bay health center for prompt assistance.
DoxyPEP & STI Testing
DoxyPEP Can Prevent Common STIs After Exposure
DoxyPEP significantly lowers the risk of contracting bacterial STIs like syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea following unprotected sex. Note that DoxyPEP does not prevent HIV, Mpox, or other viral infections. For comprehensive protection, PrEP and DoxyPEP can be combined.
Complete Same-Day STI Testing for Peace of Mind
Each prescription is accompanied by thorough STI testing. Book online for same-day results available at our Seminole Heights and Central Avenue locations. HIV and Hep C testing are always free at all health centers.
PrEP, DoxyPEP, nPEP FAQs
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) FAQs
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective HIV prevention method. Available as a daily pill, a bimonthly injection, or a twice-yearly injection, PrEP reduces the risk of acquiring HIV by up to 99%.
PrEP is for anyone who is sexually active and could be exposed to HIV, including individuals in monogamous or committed relationships. Our PrEP Navigators can help evaluate your lifestyle, health history, and personal preferences to determine if PrEP is a good fit.
In clinical trials, both bimonthly cabotegravir (Apretude) and twice-yearly lenacapavir (Yeztugo) demonstrated higher effectiveness than daily oral PrEP, primarily because they eliminate the need for daily adherence.
Most people experience temporary soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Some patients may develop a firm lump or notice minor leakage shortly after dosing.
Injectable PrEP requires a highly sensitive HIV test before every single injection to detect very early infection. This standard is required due to the FDA boxed warning regarding the risk of viral drug resistance if injections are given to someone who is unknowingly HIV-positive.
You can stop at any time, but because long-acting medications remain in your system for 12 months or longer after your last injection, anyone still at risk of HIV exposure should transition to daily oral PrEP shortly after their final injection to remain protected while drug levels taper.
METRO works with both insured and uninsured patients to find a path to little or no out-of-pocket cost. This includes up to $100 in copay assistance for eligible patients using our pharmacy, as well as support through our Copay It Forward program.
METRO operates nine health centers across Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties — including Downtown St. Pete, Central Avenue, North St. Pete, South St. Pete, Seminole Heights, Fletcher Ave., Clearwater, Brandon, and New Port Richey — all offering PrEP consultations, prescriptions, and ongoing care.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) FAQs
nPEP is the use of antiretroviral medication to prevent HIV transmission in isolated exposures to blood, genital secretions, and other potentially infectious body fluids that may contain HIV.
It is a treatment for individuals potentially exposed to HIV outside the workplace, such as during episodes of unprotected sex, needle-sharing, or exposure to blood or body fluids of a person with HIV.
nPEP should be started as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours after potential HIV exposure. The sooner nPEP is taken, the more effective it is at preventing HIV infection.
The total nPEP treatment duration is 28 days. It should not be administered for less than 28 days unless the source is determined to be uninfected via confirmatory HIV test or there are intolerable side effects with no alternative medications available.
The most common side effects of nPEP are nausea, gastrointestinal upset, and fatigue.
Prophylactic antiemetic and antidiarrheal agents can be used to control these side effects.
Doxycycline (DoxyPEP) FAQs
DoxyPEP is a post-exposure preventative treatment for bacterial STIs, specifically syphilis and chlamydia, and to a lesser extent, gonorrhea. It involves taking doxycycline, an antibiotic, after condomless sexual encounters to reduce the risk of contracting these infections.
Take 200 mg (2 tablets) of doxycycline within 24 hours, but no later than 72 hours, after condomless sexual activity. It should be taken with a full glass of water, and you should remain upright for 30 minutes after taking it. Do not take more than 200 mg in a 24-hour period.
The most common side effects include gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Photosensitivity is also common, making your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Rarely, more serious side effects can occur, such as allergic reactions or increased pressure in the brain.
Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) is not recommended for:
- Cisgender Women: Insufficient trial data for this group.
- Children Under 12: Recommended only for those 12 years and older.
- Individuals Without Recent STI Diagnosis: Not suitable for those without a bacterial STI diagnosis in the past 12 months or who have not engaged in high-risk sexual activities.
- Allergic Individuals: Those with a known allergy to doxycycline or severe side effects from it.
Consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Schedule Your Visit Today!
Call us today or click below to schedule your appointment:
📱 (727) 321-3854
Schedule an appointment at any of our nine local health centers.
Weekdays, some evening, and limited weekend hours available.
Hours of Operation:
Standard Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Extended Evening Hours (11:00 AM – 6:45 PM) are available on select days:
Tuesdays: New Port Richey, North St. Pete, Seminole Heights, South St. Pete
Wednesdays: Downtown St. Pete
Thursdays: Brandon, Central Avenue, Clearwater
Appointment Details: To ensure the highest quality of private care, visits are scheduled for 30 minutes (maximum 1 person per visit).
Why this is worth a real conversation, not just a prescription Ready to talk through your options? Schedule a PrEP consultation with our team — we’ll walk through what fits your life, your risk profile, and your plans, and support you through onboarding, ongoing care, or a transition off injectable PrEP if that’s ever the right call, backed by more than three decades of doing this work in Tampa Bay.
