Follow-Up Care and Monitoring on HIV PrEP - Module 1, Lesson 5

Sep 27, 2026

Follow-Up Care and Monitoring on HIV PrEP explains how care models differ for people receiving oral HIV PrEP, long-acting injectable cabotegravir, and lenacapavir subcutaneous injections, including options for in-clinic, virtual (telemedicine), and off-site or mail-in laboratory testing. It outlines follow-up goals such as HIV and STI screening, adherence discussions, adverse-effect assessment, prescription refills, and ongoing risk evaluation. The module further details monitoring frequency for oral regimens (typically every 3 months) and introduces CDC guideline-based laboratory monitoring elements, including HIV testing approaches.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages48

Reading Time2 h 1 min

AccessFree to download

Models for Follow-Up Care in Persons Receiving HIV PrEP

In-Clinic Visit / In-Clinic Laboratory Testing

Virtual Visit (Telemedicine) / In-Clinic Laboratory Testing

Virtual Visit (Telemedicine) / Off-Site or Mail-In Laboratory Testing

Telehealth Resources

Follow-Up and Monitoring of Persons Receiving HIV PrEP

Monitoring with Oral HIV PrEP

Frequency of Visits for Persons Taking Oral HIV PrEP

Laboratory Monitoring for Person Taking TDF-FTC

Monitoring eCrCl on Tenofovir DF-Emtricitabine

Laboratory Monitoring for Persons Taking TAF-FTC

© National HIV PrEP Curriculum PDF created September 27, 2026, 12:55 pm Follow-Up Care and Monitoring on HIV PrEP This is a PDF version of the following document: Module 1: HIV PrEP Fundamentals Lesson 5: Follow-Up Care and Monitoring on HIV PrEP You can always find the most up-to-date version of this document at [https://www.hivprep.uw.edu/go/hiv-prep-fundamentals/follow-up-monitoring-on-prep/core-concept/all](https://www.hivprep.uw.edu/go/hiv-prep-fundamentals/follow-up-monitoring-on-prep/core-concept/all). Models for Follow-Up Care in Persons Receiving HIV PrEP Different models exist for the type of follow-up visits. For the models used below, some clinics use a hybrid model, such as clinic visits alternating with virtual visits, with an option to allow the person receiving HIV PrEP to drop in for laboratory and self-testing at their convenience. For persons receiving oral HIV PrEP with tenofovir DF-emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) or tenofovir alafenamide-emtricitabine (TAF-FTC), there may be options for virtual visits and off-site (or home) laboratory testing. Since persons receiving long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) are seen in the clinic every 2 months for cabotegravir injections, there is no real need or benefit for routine virtual visits or non-clinic-based laboratory testing. For persons receiving lenacapavir subcutaneous injections (LEN-SQ), on-site visits are required every 6 months for LEN-SQ injections in the clinic. Additional interactions are advised to follow-up for laboratory testing and review of possible adverse effects; for additional interactions that do not require in clinic visits, off-site options can be used. [ 1 ] In-Clinic Visit / In-Clinic Laboratory Testing: With this model, the blood draw and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing are ideally done on the same day as the clinic visit. The STI testing samples for chlamydia and gonorrhea can be obtained through either self-collected swabs or cliniciancollected swabs. Virtual Visit (Telemedicine) / In-Clinic Laboratory Testing: With this model, the blood draw and STI testing are ideally done in the clinic several days prior to (or after) the 3-month follow-up virtual visit, or alternately, are ordered at the time of the virtual visit, with the goal for completion as soon as possible after the visit. The STI testing samples for chlamydia and gonorrhea can be obtained through either self-collected swabs or clinician-collected swabs. Virtual Visit (Telemedicine) / Off-Site or Mail-In Laboratory Testing: With this model, the individual has a virtual visit, and shortly before or after the virtual visit, the individual visits an off-site laboratory testing facility (that may be at a more convenient location than the clinic) or they obtain self-collected blood samples and STI samples at home. Samples collected at home are then mailed to an appropriate laboratory. The model that utilizes home testing is the least common of the three models, since mail-in, home self-testing has not become widely available, especially with testing that requires obtaining blood samples. Telehealth Resources Prime Health, in partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, has developed an outstanding, comprehensive suite of resources for health care providers who are interested in integrating telehealth services into HIV PrEP programs. These TelePrEP Hub resources include Practical information on designing a TelePrEP program, TelePrEP Readiness Assessment (a guide for program managers to assist in implementing TelePrEP), TelePrEP Billing and Compliance, TelePrEP Regulations and Policies, TelePrEP Client Navigation and Education, Electronic Device and Technology Assistance for TelePrEP Clients, TelePrEP Mental Health and Support Services, TelePrEP Counseling, HIV Prevention Support Tools and PrEP Messaging, and TelePrEP and Lab Testing, and TelePrEP and Pharmacies. Follow-Up and Monitoring of Persons Receiving HIV

FAQs

What follow-up goals should be addressed for people taking oral HIV PrEP?

Follow-up care supports HIV and STI screening, adherence discussions, assessment of medication-related adverse effects, medication refills, and review of HIV risk to ensure ongoing PrEP is still indicated.

How often are typical follow-up visits for people taking daily oral HIV PrEP?

For daily oral HIV PrEP (TDF-FTC or TAF-FTC), typical follow-up monitoring is every 3 months, and each refill provides a 90-day supply.

How do monitoring approaches differ for long-acting injectable cabotegravir and lenacapavir?

For CAB-LA, people are seen in clinic every 2 months for injections, so routine virtual visits or non-clinic-based lab testing are generally not needed. For LEN-SQ, on-site clinic visits are required every 6 months for injections, with additional follow-up for labs and adverse effects as advised.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn Holloway