How to Take - PrEP 2-1-1 for Anal Sex

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen

Instructions for using PrEP 2-1-1 for anal sex, including the exact timing of pills before and after sex and how to continue dosing every 24 hours until two days after the last “sex day.” Guidance covers what to do when restarting dosing after a gap, key points such as taking tablets at a consistent time and not choosing only some encounters, and advice if stopping or a dose is missed. A comparison outlines daily PrEP versus 2-1-1 covering eligibility, timing, effectiveness, planning, adherence tolerance, missed doses, and side effects, plus warnings for chronic Hepatitis B and cost considerations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

HOW TO TAKE: PREP 2-1-1 FOR ANAL SEX

Before Sex

After Sex

Restarting When There Is a Gap

A FEW IMPORTANT POINTS

A NOTE ON FDA APPROVAL

PRO-TIP

PrEP 211 Dosing Summary

| | | | --- | --- | |
HOW TO TAKE: PREP 2-1-1 FOR ANAL SEX | | | Before Sex
􀁸 Take 2 PrEP tablets at least 2 hours and not more than 24 hours before sex
After Sex
􀁸 Take 1 PrEP tablet 24 hours after the 1st 2 tablets, then 1 PrEP tablet 48 hours after 1st 2 tablets
􀁸 Continue taking 1 PrEP tablet every 24 hours until 2 days after your last “sex day.”(In Example 2 below, Sunday is the last “sex day,” so PrEP should be taken until Tuesday)
Example 1: One Sex Encounter
Example 2: Multiple Sex Encounters
| | | 􀁸 If there are fewer than 7 days between the end of one 211 dosing period and the beginning of another, you only need to take 1 single PrEP tablet when you restart. | 􀁸 If there are 7 or more days since your last PrEP
211 dose, start again with 2 PrEP tablets. | |
A FEW IMPORTANT POINTS | | | 􀁸 Use PrEP 2-1-1 with all sexual encounters. Do not pick and choose when to use 2-1-1 dosing.
􀁸 Take the tablets around the same time each day (+/-2 hours) . We suggest setting an alarm or reminder.
􀁸 Switch to daily PrEP dosing whenever you want to if that is a better fit for you.
􀁸 If you're unsure when to stop or miss a dose, continue taking PrEP daily and call your PrEP Coordinator/provider for support, or go to urgent care if necessary. | | FEATURES OF DAILY VS. 211 DOSING <<< WHO CAN USE IT? WHEN TO USE IT? EFFECTIVENESS TAKING PILLS MISSING DOSES SIDE EFFECTS PLANNING HEPATITIS B COSTS Daily PrEP Anyone Automatically use with everyone No difference based on available evidence It’s easier to take a pill every day Forgiving when taking 5 or more doses in the week No difference No planning needed around sex Can take daily with chronic Hepatitis B May be more expensive if you pay for medications PrEP 211 Anal sex only. Not shown to be effective for receptive vaginal/front hole sex Must use with every sexual encounter. Picking and choosing isnot recommended No difference based on available evidence Requires planning and reminders to take your 211 doses Not forgiving No difference Need at least 2 hours’ notice to take PrEP before sex. Potentially dangerous to use with chronic Hepatitis B May be cheaper if you pay for medications A NOTE ON FDA APPROVAL <<< >>> PRO-TIP Once-daily Truvada® is currently the only FDA-approved strategy for PrEP. The additional PrEP 211/On-Demand dosing strategy is not specifically endorsed by the FDA, as Gilead, the pharmaceutical company, has not submitted the alternative strategy for FDA approval. However, there is substantial published evidence this dosing strategy will work, requiring less lifetime exposure to Truvada® compared to once-daily dosing. PrEP 211 requires perfect adherence to be highly effective. Use alarms or timer caps to ensure you stay on track and take your pills on time. 2 pills: 2 to 24 hours before sex + 1 pill every day you have sex 1 pill: 24 hours after previous dose 1 pill: 24 hours after that

FAQs

How should PrEP 2-1-1 be taken before anal sex?

Take 2 PrEP tablets at least 2 hours and not more than 24 hours before sex.

How should PrEP 2-1-1 be taken after the first 2 tablets?

Take 1 PrEP tablet 24 hours after the first 2 tablets, then take 1 PrEP tablet every 24 hours until 2 days after your last “sex day.”

What is the difference between daily PrEP and PrEP 2-1-1, especially for Hepatitis B?

The handout states daily PrEP can be taken with chronic Hepatitis B, while PrEP 211 may be potentially dangerous with chronic Hepatitis B. It also notes that PrEP 211 requires planning and reminders and is not forgiving for missed doses.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen