Quick Answer — What is the PrEP Starter Pack?
The MedsBase PrEP Starter Pack pairs first-line HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis — tenofovir disoproxil + emtricitabine (Tenvir-EM by Cipla) — with doxycycline 100 mg for doxy-PEP, the CDC-endorsed bacterial STI prevention strategy added in 2024. Together they provide layered protection against HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhoea (the latter with reduced effect due to resistance). Supply tiers: 1, 3, or 6 months. Specialist-supervised use only — baseline HIV-negative status confirmation, kidney function and HBV serology required before starting.
📦 Every order is covered by our Reshipment Assurance Policy — if your parcel does not arrive within 20 business days, we reship it.
Why order from MedsBase
Our generic medications are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers and shipped worldwide in discreet, plain packaging — no medication name on the parcel exterior. Card payments are routed through a regulated processor (statement descriptors include a regulated card-payment processor — never “MedsBase” or any medication name). Crypto and SEPA bank transfer are also accepted. Every order is backed by our Reshipment Assurance Policy.
What’s in the PrEP Starter Pack
Each tier ships matched 30/90/180-day quantities of both components:
- Tenvir-EM (tenofovir disoproxil 300 mg + emtricitabine 200 mg, Cipla). Once-daily oral tablet. Two NRTIs that block HIV reverse transcriptase before viral integration. iPrEx, Partners PrEP, IPERGAY, and PROUD trials confirm 86–99% relative risk reduction for HIV acquisition with consistent use. Also active against hepatitis B (HBV).
- Doxycycline 100 mg (Cipla). Used here for doxy-PEP: a single 200 mg dose taken within 72 hours of condomless sex provides 60–80% relative risk reduction against syphilis and chlamydia, and ~55% against gonorrhoea (CDC 2024 guidelines, based on the DoxyPEP trial 2022 and ANRS DoxyVAC 2023).
Why combine HIV PrEP with doxy-PEP?
HIV PrEP prevents HIV but does not prevent bacterial STIs. Studies of PrEP users consistently show high incidence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis — partly because consistent condom use declines once HIV anxiety is removed. Doxy-PEP closes this gap.
The 2024 CDC clinical guidelines explicitly endorse doxy-PEP for: men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women with one or more bacterial STI in the past 12 months. The 2022 DoxyPEP randomised trial (Luetkemeyer et al., NEJM) showed a 65% reduction in any bacterial STI per quarter; the ANRS DoxyVAC trial (2023, France) replicated the chlamydia/syphilis effect. The combination pack delivers both layers of protection in one shipment.
Who this pack is for
Best candidates:
- Cisgender MSM and transgender women at substantial HIV risk who also report condomless anal/oral sex with a history of bacterial STI
- Cisgender men in serodiscordant relationships
- Anyone who wants tested HIV PrEP who would also benefit from layered STI prevention
NOT appropriate for:
- Anyone with current or untreated HIV — Tenvir-EM is dual-NRTI prophylaxis, not full ART; using it during HIV infection rapidly selects M184V resistance and compromises future treatment
- Anyone with eGFR < 60 mL/min — tenofovir disoproxil is renally cleared and nephrotoxic at the population level
- Cisgender women — TDF/FTC has demonstrated efficacy in cisgender women only with very high adherence (≥7 doses/week); TAF/FTC (Descovy) is not approved for cisgender women per CDC 2023
- Children < 35 kg or younger than 12 years
- Pregnant women in the first trimester (doxycycline contraindicated; TDF/FTC is acceptable in pregnancy if HIV risk justifies)
- Anyone with hepatitis B who would discontinue tenofovir without an HBV-active replacement (HBV reactivation risk)
How to use the pack correctly
Tenvir-EM (HIV PrEP)
- Daily PrEP: One tablet at the same time every day. Takes 7 days for protective levels in rectal tissue, 21 days in cervicovaginal/penile tissue.
- 2-1-1 on-demand PrEP (MSM only): 2 tablets 2–24 hours before anticipated sex, 1 tablet 24 hours after the first dose, 1 tablet 48 hours after the first dose. Effective only in MSM with anticipated, planned sex.
- Take with food to reduce nausea in the first 1–2 weeks.
- Do not stop abruptly without specialist guidance if you have HBV co-infection.
Doxycycline 100 mg (doxy-PEP)
- 200 mg single dose (2 capsules) within 24 hours of condomless sex; up to 72 hours if delayed.
- Maximum 200 mg per 24-hour period.
- Take with a full glass of water; remain upright for 30 minutes (oesophagitis risk).
- Avoid taking within 2 hours of dairy, antacids, iron supplements, or calcium-fortified products (chelation).
- Use sun protection — doxycycline is photosensitising.
Mandatory testing schedule
| Test | Frequency |
|---|---|
| HIV antibody/antigen (4th generation) | Baseline; every 3 months while on PrEP |
| Hepatitis B surface antigen + surface antibody | Baseline; vaccinate if susceptible |
| Renal function (creatinine, eGFR) | Baseline; every 6 months while on PrEP |
| Syphilis serology + chlamydia/gonorrhoea NAAT (3-site if applicable) | Baseline; every 3 months |
| Pregnancy test (cisgender women / transmasculine on TDF) | Every 3 months |
Combined-use safety
Tenvir-EM and doxycycline have no clinically significant pharmacokinetic interaction. Both are well-tolerated together. The main combined-use considerations are:
- Photosensitivity from doxycycline can be amplified in users who also take SSRIs or thiazide diuretics.
- Antacids and iron reduce doxycycline absorption — separate by ≥2 hours.
- Nausea in the first week is more common when both drugs are taken together on an empty stomach. Take Tenvir-EM with breakfast and doxy-PEP with a small meal.
- Vaginal/anal microbiome may shift on chronic doxycycline — monitor for new candidiasis or bacterial vaginosis symptoms.
Side effects
Tenvir-EM (typical < 10% incidence): nausea, headache, fatigue in the first 2 weeks (“start syndrome”, usually resolves). Rare: small reductions in bone mineral density (BMD reverses on stopping); slow renal function decline (~1 mL/min/year on average — relevant in long-term use).
Doxycycline (typical incidence): photosensitivity, GI upset, oesophagitis if taken without water/upright, rare hypersensitivity. Long-term use raises tetracycline-resistance concerns at the population level — a key reason doxy-PEP is restricted to higher-risk populations rather than universal recommendation.
Stop and seek care for: any sign of acute HIV seroconversion (fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, sore throat 2–4 weeks after suspected exposure — get an HIV test immediately and continue PrEP until result); severe rash (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome); severe abdominal pain; jaundice; persistent vomiting or diarrhoea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this protect against all STIs?
HIV: yes (86–99% with adherence). Syphilis: yes (~73% reduction per DoxyPEP trial). Chlamydia: yes (~74% reduction). Gonorrhoea: partial (~55% reduction with rising resistance). Mycoplasma genitalium: probably not (resistance rates > 50% to doxycycline). HSV / HPV / hepatitis A / hepatitis C: not protected — get vaccinated and use condoms for ongoing protection.
Can I take both pills the same day?
Yes. Take Tenvir-EM at your usual daily time. Take the doxy-PEP 200 mg dose any time within 72 hours of condomless sex. They do not interact significantly.
How quickly does PrEP start working?
Rectal mucosa: 7 days of daily dosing. Cervicovaginal/penile mucosa: 21 days. The 2-1-1 on-demand regimen achieves protection 2 hours after the first 2-tablet dose (MSM only).
What if I miss a dose of Tenvir-EM?
Take it as soon as you remember unless your next scheduled dose is within 4 hours. Daily adherence above 4 doses/week confers high protection in MSM; below 4 doses/week, protection drops quickly. Cisgender women need ≥7 doses/week for similar protection.
Can I drink alcohol?
Yes — neither Tenvir-EM nor doxycycline interacts meaningfully with alcohol at moderate intake. Heavy alcohol use is associated with PrEP non-adherence and increased risky-sex frequency, so manage that pathway separately.
Can I take this in pregnancy?
Tenvir-EM has good pregnancy data and is acceptable when HIV risk justifies use. Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy after 18 weeks (tooth and bone effects in the foetus). Stop the doxy-PEP component if you become pregnant; continue Tenvir-EM if HIV risk continues, under specialist supervision.
What if I get exposed to HIV before PrEP is fully active?
If you have a known high-risk exposure within the first 7 days of starting daily PrEP, contact a clinician about HIV PEP (a 28-day 3-drug regimen started within 72 hours). Do not rely on partial-protection PrEP for an acute high-risk exposure.
How is the pack shipped?
Discreet plain packaging with no drug names on the outside. Worldwide delivery. The Reshipment Assurance Policy covers a free reship if your parcel does not arrive within 20 business days.
Can I pay with cryptocurrency?
Yes — Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and other major cryptocurrencies via Plisio with an automatic 10% discount at checkout. See the Crypto Payment Guide.
Where can I get the testing done?
Most sexual-health clinics, GP surgeries, and many free community testing programmes (e.g. Terrence Higgins Trust in the UK, Planned Parenthood in the US, regional services elsewhere) offer the full quarterly STI panel and HIV testing required to safely use PrEP.
What you get in each tier
Tenvir-EM is taken once daily for HIV PrEP. Doxycycline 100 mg is included for Doxy-PEP — two tablets (200 mg) within 72 hours of condomless sex, per CDC 2024 guidance. The doxy supply assumes roughly 5 events per month; heavier users should top up with a separate Cendox or Doxypal pack.
| Tier | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 Month |
|
| 3 Months |
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| 6 Months |
|
The PrEP Starter Pack bundles Tenvir-EM with doxycycline for Doxy-PEP; users who prefer Emcure-manufactured TDF/FTC can substitute Tavin EM (tenofovir 300 mg + emtricitabine 200 mg) as the daily PrEP tablet while keeping the doxycycline component for STI prophylaxis.
Also in our Sexual Health range
- HIV PrEP TDF/FTC alternatives: Ricovir EM, Tenof EM, Tavin EM
- HIV PrEP TAF/FTC (MSM and trans women only): Taficita
- STI bundle: STD Protection Pack
- Doxycycline alone: Doxycycline Capsules, Cendox
- See the full Sexual Health category
Important safety information
HIV PrEP requires confirmed HIV-negative status before starting and every 3 months while on therapy. Hepatitis B serology and renal function (eGFR) must be checked at baseline. The PrEP Starter Pack is a specialist-supervised regimen, not a substitute for clinical follow-up. Do not start if HIV-positive — TDF/FTC alone selects M184V resistance rapidly. Do not use if eGFR < 60 mL/min. Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy after 18 weeks, in children under 8 years, and in anyone with known tetracycline hypersensitivity. Stop immediately and seek care for severe rash, jaundice, signs of acute HIV seroconversion (fever/rash/lymphadenopathy 2–4 weeks post-exposure), or severe abdominal pain. This page is for educational purposes and does not replace consultation with a qualified clinician.




















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