I was recently in a foreign developing country and was exposed to HIV.

The clinic gave me PEP and the medication I got is something I can’t seem to find anywhere as recommended or ever being used for PEP.

The pill is once daily (Dolutegravir 50MG + Emtricitabine 200MG+ Tenofovir Alafenamide 25MG). 

It seems like this is a combination of Descovy and Tivicay which I can’t seem to find anywhere as a combo used for PEP. Everything I’m reading online says the PEP regimen needs to be Truvada (TDF) rather than Descovy (TAF).

The pill is also an all in one combination rather than 2 separate pills which I also can’t seem to find anywhere. I’ve been on this for about a week already but I wanted to know if any of the docs here have ever seen or used this combination of medications as PEP? Would this even work? 

Thank you in advance!!

Almost certainly the medications you are taking are effective as post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). When PEP is approved by a particular regulatory body or public health expert, it only means that the specific regimen has been studied and its effectiveness documented by research. Many other drug combinations are just as effective even if they haven't been studied as PEP. Further, if your clinic has substantial experience with PEP and other aspects of HIV/AIDS care, they might have done their own in-house research; or at least have experience treating many such patients. For reassurance, you should ask them these questions. But in the meantime, you can safely assume your PEP will be effective.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

Follow-up testing for HIV normally is done with an AgAb (4th generation) blood test soon after the last dose of PEP, as you are planning, and again a few weeks later. Most experts advise the final test at 6 weeks after the last dose, but some also advise RNA/PCR testing as well. You should discuss the recommended intervals with your own doctors. This forum does not provide direct medical treatment and cannot take responsibility for your PEP management. If you're no longer in the country where PEP was prescribed, you should connect with an experienced clinic or doctor wherever you are (or will be at the end of treatment). However, that treatment occurred in a developing country does necessarily mean care is substandard, or that the clinic might not have very sophisticated understanding and experience. Many HIV clinics in many developing countries are every bit as expert as those in North America or Western Europe -- often more so.