HIV Test Kits, PrEp & PEP
Welcome to the world of worry-free sexual health with Everest Whole Health Pharmacy! As a trusted provider of HIV testing and managing solutions, we are proud to offer a comprehensive range of HIV test kits, PrEP, and PEP medications to help you stay in control of your well-being.
Whether you’re looking to prevent HIV infection or manage it, we’ve got you covered with the latest advances in medical technology and innovative solutions. Our commitment to quality, affordability and accessibility makes us the go-to destination for all your HIV, STD, and STI testing and management needs.
Take the first step towards peace of mind – visit us today in our Toronto, Ontario shop, book an appointment for a consultation, or get in touch online!
HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
If you are not on HIV PrEP and may have been exposed to HIV through unprotected sex or a contaminated needle, then taking Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), ideally within 24 to 48 hours for about 28 days, can prevent HIV infection. PEP is ineffective if you start taking it more than 72 hours after exposure. If it has been over 72 hours post-exposure, please visit an HIV doctor or HIV testing clinic.
HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Everest Whole Health Pharmacy is also supportive of anyone needing to go on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) – the best defense and prevention method against contracting HIV. Being on a PrEP prevention strategy means taking a PrEP medication called Truvada, one pill a day, every day.
This anti-HIV medication has been used by HIV-positive people to battle HIV since the early 2000s and is currently the only pill on the market approved for PrEP for HIV-negative people. As healthcare workers, we’re here to help expand access to PrEP to anyone in need – talk to your health care provider to establish a prevention strategy, then enjoy our PrEP services.
HIV Testing Kits: High-Quality HIV Self-Tests
Lab tests are a thing of the past. With today’s array of testing options, there’s no need to go to a lab for testing services. Let us introduce you to a revolutionary new rapid HIV test designed for comfort and confidentiality!
Test yourself in the comfort of your home with an easy-to-use, 99.5% accurate INSTI HIV self-testing kit and get the results in only 1 minute. With its simple flow-through technology, you only need a tiny drop of blood using a fingerstick to detect HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies. With just 50μL of blood, you can get results you can trust – no training required.
Purchase your INSTI HIV test kit today at Everest Whole Health Pharmacy, approved by Health Canada after numerous rigorous Canadian studies. In case of positive results, it’s best to visit your health care provider for confirmatory testing or running any other necessary additional blood samples, lab tests, or diagnostic tests.
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PrEP, or “Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis,” is a highly effective method for preventing the transmission of HIV. It involves taking antiretroviral medications regularly before potentially being exposed to the virus. Think of it like a vaccine for HIV. Just as you might take a flu shot to protect yourself from the flu, taking PREP can reduce your risk of acquiring HIV by up to 99%.
So, if you’re someone who is at a higher risk of exposure to HIV, consider talking to your healthcare provider about getting started on PrEP. It’s a simple yet powerful way to protect yourself and take control of your sexual health.
Not only is PrEP medication highly effective, but it’s also convenient and easy to take. Antiretroviral drugs, the PrEP medication, come in the form of a pill taken once a day. When taken consistently and as prescribed, these medications can reduce the level of the virus in the blood (known as the “viral load”) to undetectable levels, making it much harder to transmit the virus.
What is the process for PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV? Antiretroviral medication is taken before potential exposure to HIV to reduce the risk of acquiring the virus. The most commonly used antiretroviral drugs for PREP include tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC), combined and marketed as Truvada.
It’s important to note that PrEP HIV medication is not 100% effective and does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Therefore, it’s still recommended to use safe practices in addition to taking PrEP to reduce the risk of STI transmission.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) are both antiretroviral medications used to prevent the transmission of HIV. However, they are used in different situations and time frames. PREP medication is taken daily by individuals at a higher risk of exposure to HIV to reduce the likelihood of acquiring the virus. It’s best to start taking PrEP several days before potential exposure and to continue taking it regularly to maintain protection.
On the other hand, PEP is taken after a potential exposure to HIV and must be started within 72 hours of exposure. The goal of PEP is to prevent the virus from establishing a permanent infection in the body. Both PREP and PEP are highly effective when taken consistently and as prescribed, but they are not 100% effective and should be used in conjunction with other safe sex practices.
Community health centers offer low-cost or free STI testing and treatment services. Some urgent care centers also offer STI testing and treatment services, which can be convenient for individuals who need to be tested outside of normal office hours.
Some pharmacies, such as Everest Whole Health Pharmacy, now offer STI testing services – tests can be purchased over the counter and completed in the privacy of your own home. You can also check with your insurance provider to see if they cover STI testing and which testing options are covered. Some insurance plans may require a referral to an HIV testing center from a primary care doctor.
Are there any home HIV test kits available in Canada? Yes! You can easily get an HIV self-testing kit at Everest Whole Health Pharmacy. Our INSTI HIV test kit is a convenient and confidential way to test for HIV in the privacy of your own home. It includes everything you need to collect a sample and get your results within a few minutes.
So if you’re wondering: “Can I buy an HIV self-test kit in Canada?” The solution is simple. By visiting our pharmacy in Toronto, Ontario, calling us at 416-649-0464, or ordering one from our website and getting it delivered straight to your doorstep, you can purchase an over-the-counter HIV self-testing kit and avoid a clinical visit.
Rapid HIV tests are highly accurate. Most rapid HIV tests are antibody tests, which detect the presence of antibodies to the virus in the blood. Antibodies typically take 1-3 weeks to develop after exposure to the virus, so it’s essential to get tested for accurate results at least three weeks after potential exposure.
Rapid tests are typically done using a fingerstick blood sample or oral fluid sample and can provide results in as little as a few minutes. The accuracy of rapid tests is generally high, with false-negative rates ranging from 0.1% to 0.2%. If you have any concerns about your results or if you test positive, it’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider for additional testing and treatment, if necessary.