This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

PrEP is a prescription medicine that lowers the chance of getting HIV. It is one of the most effective tools in modern HIV prevention. It is also one of the least understood.

This guide explains PrEP in plain language for people in Fort Lauderdale and the rest of Broward County. It covers who PrEP is for, the three ways it is given, what happens at a first visit, how insurance treats it, and where to start locally. It does not replace a conversation with a clinician, who can look at your health and your situation.

Key takeaways

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is medicine a clinician prescribes to people who do not have HIV, to lower the chance of getting it.
The CDC says PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent when taken as prescribed. For people who inject drugs, the CDC says the reduction is at least 74 percent.
Daily oral PrEP and injectable PrEP are the standard options. On-demand dosing is a different approach that only some clinicians use, and only for certain people.
You need an HIV test before starting and regular follow-up while you take PrEP. A clinician will also check other labs.
The USPSTF recommends PrEP, and under the Affordable Care Act most private plans must cover recommended preventive services without cost sharing. Check your own plan for details.
In Fort Lauderdale, Care Resource and CAN Community Health list PrEP. Costs vary, so call before you go.
PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, so STI testing is still part of staying well.

What PrEP is and how well it works
Who PrEP is for
Types of PrEP: daily oral, on-demand and injectable
How to get PrEP in Fort Lauderdale
Free and low-cost PrEP options in Fort Lauderdale
HIV PrEP cost and coverage
Staying on PrEP and the rest of your sexual health
Sources

What PrEP is and how well it works

PrEP is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. "Pre-exposure" means you take it before a possible exposure to HIV. "Prophylaxis" means prevention.

It is for people who do not have HIV. A clinician prescribes it, and the medicines work by making it hard for the virus to take hold in the body if it enters.

What the CDC says about effectiveness

The CDC states that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent when it is taken as prescribed. The CDC also says it reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74 percent when taken as prescribed.

The words "as prescribed" matter. PrEP works best when it is taken consistently and when you keep your follow-up visits. No prevention method is perfect, which is why clinicians talk about PrEP as one tool among several.

What PrEP does not do

PrEP does not treat HIV. It does not protect against chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV or other infections. It also does not prevent pregnancy.

Condoms, vaccines, regular testing and prompt treatment of other infections still matter. A clinician can help you build a plan that fits your life.

PrEP is different from PEP

PEP is post-exposure prophylaxis. It is a short course of HIV medicine that a clinician can prescribe after a possible exposure. The CDC says it must be started within 72 hours. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV recently, contact a clinic, urgent care or emergency department promptly and ask about PEP.

The Florida Department of Health in Broward County links to the Florida PrEP and PEP Locator from its HIV pages. It is a tool for finding sites that provide both.

Who PrEP is for

PrEP is for anyone who does not have HIV and could benefit from added protection. That can be people of any gender, any sexual orientation and any relationship status.

The CDC's clinical guidance for PrEP describes people who may want to talk with a clinician about it. This includes people who:

Have a partner who has HIV, especially if the partner is not on treatment or has not reached an undetectable viral load.
Have had anal or vaginal sex in the past six months and have either a sexual partner with HIV, a recent bacterial STI, or inconsistent condom use with partners whose HIV status they do not know.
Inject drugs and share needles or other equipment, or have a partner who does.
Have been prescribed PEP more than once and are still at ongoing risk.

These are the CDC's descriptions of people who may benefit. They are not a checklist you must pass. If you are wondering whether PrEP makes sense for you, a clinician can talk it through without judgment.

Why this matters in Broward County

Local numbers show why prevention and testing are part of everyday health care here. A summary of CDC 2021 county data published by 352today and Stacker reported 524.9 chlamydia cases per 100,000 people in Broward County, along with 258.7 gonorrhea cases and 28.9 primary and secondary syphilis cases per 100,000. Those are secondary reports of CDC data, and they describe a past year.

The takeaway is simple. STIs are common, they are treatable, and testing is how people find out. A clinician who prescribes PrEP will usually ask about STI testing too.

PrEP during pregnancy, and for teens

People who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding can talk with a clinician about PrEP. The CDC's guidance includes these situations, and the decision is individual.

For teens, the rules are more specific. Florida Statute 384.30 lets the Department of Health, licensed physicians, certain licensed nurses and clinics examine and treat minors for sexually transmissible diseases without parental consent. It also says a minor's consultation, examination and treatment must stay confidential, including by not sending a bill to a parent or guardian. The statute is about sexually transmissible diseases. It does not say whether PrEP counts, so ask the clinic how it handles consent and billing for PrEP before the visit.

Types of PrEP: daily oral, on-demand and injectable

There are three approaches you may hear about. Two are standard in CDC guidance. One is a different approach used in limited situations.

Daily oral PrEP

This is a pill taken every day. The CDC describes oral PrEP as a combination of two medicines, and two versions are approved by the FDA. Which one fits depends on your body, your kidney and bone health, and the type of sex or exposure involved. A clinician decides this with you.

The CDC explains that PrEP takes time to reach full protection, and the time differs depending on the type of sex. Ask your clinician when you can count on protection. Do not guess.

Many people like daily PrEP because it becomes a routine. Others find a daily pill hard to remember, which is a good reason to ask about the injectable option.

Injectable PrEP

Injectable PrEP is a medicine given by a clinician as an injection, instead of a pill you take at home. The CDC's 2021 PrEP guideline includes it as an option. The injections happen at the clinic on a schedule set by the prescriber.

This can suit people who do not want to take a daily pill, who have trouble keeping up with one, or who want more privacy at home. It also means you must be able to get to the clinic on time. Ask whether the clinic you are considering offers injectable PrEP, because not every site does.

On-demand PrEP (often called 2-1-1)

On-demand PrEP means taking medicine around the time of sex rather than every day. You may hear it called "2-1-1."

It is important to be precise here. The FDA has not approved on-demand dosing. It is not part of the CDC's standard recommendations. Some international and professional groups describe it for a limited group, generally men who have sex with men who have sex less often and can plan ahead. It is not described for people who have vaginal sex or who inject drugs.

Because of this, on-demand PrEP is a conversation for a clinician, not something to start on your own. If daily PrEP does not suit you, ask about injectable PrEP first, since it has CDC support.

Which type is right?

There is no single best choice. A clinician can help you weigh:

How you prefer to take medicine.
Your kidney and bone health.
Your type of sexual or drug-use exposure.
Other medicines you take.
Your insurance coverage and how often you can reach the clinic.

How to get PrEP in Fort Lauderdale

You need a prescription, so the process starts with a clinician. That can be a primary care provider, a sexual health clinic, a community health center or a telehealth provider licensed in Florida. Here is how it usually goes.

Step 1: Choose where to start

Start with a place that offers PrEP and tell them you are interested. The next section lists Fort Lauderdale options from public sources. If you already have a primary care provider, you can ask them first. Many providers can prescribe PrEP.

Step 2: Plan for the first visit

Expect questions about your health history, your sexual activity, any drug use and the medicines you take. These questions are routine. Clinicians ask them to choose a safe option for you, not to judge.

Bring your insurance card if you have one. If you do not have insurance, say so at the start so staff can explain the assistance options they have.

Step 3: Lab tests before starting

The CDC's PrEP guideline says an HIV test is required before PrEP starts. This matters because PrEP alone is not a full treatment regimen for someone who has HIV. A clinician also typically checks:

Kidney function, because some PrEP medicines are processed by the kidneys.
Hepatitis B status, since some PrEP medicines also affect hepatitis B and that needs to be managed carefully.
STI tests, which can include chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, depending on the type of sex you have.
A pregnancy test, when relevant.

Some clinics can start PrEP the same day, depending on your situation and lab availability. Others wait for results first. Ask what the clinic does.

A note on HIV test timing

HIV tests cannot detect the virus right after an exposure. The CDC describes different window periods by test type. A nucleic acid test can detect HIV about 10 to 33 days after exposure. An antigen and antibody test done on a lab blood draw can detect it about 18 to 45 days after exposure. Antigen and antibody tests done on a finger prick take longer, about 18 to 90 days. Antibody tests can take 23 to 90 days, and the CDC lists self-tests in that range as well.

If you had a possible exposure in the last few weeks, tell the clinician. They may order a different test or suggest PEP instead of PrEP.

Step 4: Start and follow up

Once a clinician prescribes PrEP, you follow their instructions on how to take it. The CDC says people taking oral PrEP should return about every three months for an HIV test, a medication check and a talk about adherence and risk. Injectable PrEP has its own follow-up visits that the prescriber will explain. Do not skip these. HIV testing while on PrEP is part of the safety plan.

Free and low-cost PrEP options in Fort Lauderdale

Public sources list the following Fort Lauderdale sites. Services, prices and hours can change, so call before you go.

Care Resource Fort Lauderdale

Care Resource is a nonprofit HIV and STI community health center at 871 W Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. The phone number is (954) 567-7141.

The CDC's GetTested directory lists PrEP, rapid HIV testing, HIV blood draws, and tests for herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. It also lists hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV vaccines. The listing says fees are on a sliding scale, that insurance, Medicaid and Medicare are accepted, and that PrEP is available for people without insurance. It says an appointment is not required. The listing does not give hours and says to check the organization's website, so confirm by phone.

CAN Community Health Fort Lauderdale

CAN Community Health is a nonprofit health center at 315 S.E. 14th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. The phone number is (754) 701-6920.

Its clinic page lists STD testing and treatment, PrEP and HIV services. The listed hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The page does not state a cost or whether you can walk in, so ask when you call. The pharmacy line is (844) 370-6204.

Free testing that can be a first step

Some public clinics do not list PrEP but offer free testing, which is a useful first step because PrEP starts with an HIV test.

Broward Wellness Center, 750 SE 3rd Ave., 1st Floor, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. This is the Florida Department of Health in Broward County's free walk-in STI clinic, run through a contracted provider. The department's page lists no-cost chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV testing, plus diagnosis, treatment, confidential counseling and partner notification. Listed hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday, and visitors are asked to sign in one hour before closing. Other versions of the department's pages show different hours, so call 954-767-0273 to confirm. The STD Line is 954-298-6585. The page does not mention PrEP, so ask staff where to go for it.
Fort Lauderdale Health Center (DOH-Broward), 2421 SW 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315, phone 954-467-4700. The CDC NPIN directory lists free HIV and STI tests, with appointments required, and says it accepts insurance, Medicaid and sliding scale. It lists weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and says HIV testing hours vary, so call first. The listing does not mention PrEP.
Planned Parenthood Pembroke Pines Health Center, 263 N University Dr, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024, phone (954) 989-5747. It is in Pembroke Pines, not in Fort Lauderdale. The CDC GetTested listing shows HIV, hepatitis B and C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing, and says insurance and Medicaid are accepted. It does not list PrEP. The listing says to contact the organization about eligibility.

For a longer list of testing sites, see our guide to where to get tested in Fort Lauderdale. The CDC's GetTested tool at gettested.cdc.gov can also help you find testing and PrEP providers by ZIP code.

Free HIV and syphilis self-test kits

The Florida Department of Health in Broward County says it offers free HIV and syphilis self-testing kits. You can call 954-847-8132 or complete the request form on its HIV counseling and testing page. The Florida Department of Health also points people to knowyourhivstatus.com to order a free at-home HIV test. Its page does not describe how the mail-order process works.

A self-test does not replace the lab testing a clinician orders before PrEP. It can still be a private way to take the first step.

HIV PrEP cost and coverage

HIV PrEP cost depends on three things: the medicine, the clinic visits and labs, and your insurance. There is no single price, and most Fort Lauderdale clinics do not publish one.

What the Affordable Care Act says

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force gives PrEP a grade A recommendation for people at increased risk of HIV. Under the Affordable Care Act, most private health plans must cover services with an A or B grade without charging you a copay or deductible. This applies to PrEP medicine and, according to federal guidance, to the related services such as the HIV test, kidney tests and follow-up visits.

There are limits. Some plans, such as grandfathered plans and short-term plans, are not covered by this rule. Details can also differ for Medicaid, Medicare and employer plans. Call the number on your insurance card and ask whether PrEP and the related visits and labs are covered at no cost to you.

If you have Medicaid or Medicare

The Care Resource listing on the CDC GetTested directory says it accepts both. The Fort Lauderdale Health Center listing says it accepts Medicaid. Coverage rules differ by plan, so confirm with the clinic and the plan.

If you do not have insurance

Several routes may help:

Care Resource's CDC listing says PrEP is available for people without insurance and that fees are on a sliding scale.
The Fort Lauderdale Health Center listing says it uses a sliding scale.
CAN Community Health lists PrEP, but its page does not state a cost. Ask about financial help when you call.
The Florida PrEP and PEP Locator, linked from the Florida Department of Health in Broward County's HIV pages, can help you find providers. The department's pages do not describe a Broward PrEP assistance program, so ask each clinic what help it offers.

Medicine makers and national groups run assistance programs, and clinic staff are often the best people to explain them. Ask the clinic's benefits or financial counselor.

Questions to ask before your first visit

What will I pay for the visit, labs and medicine?
Do you accept my insurance, Medicaid or Medicare?
Is there a sliding scale or an assistance program?
Do you offer injectable PrEP as well as daily oral PrEP?
Will my insurance send a statement to someone else in my household?

Keep the last question in mind if privacy matters to you. Insurance statements can reveal services to the policyholder.

Staying on PrEP and the rest of your sexual health

Taking PrEP well

Protection depends on following the plan your clinician gives you. If you miss doses or visits, tell them. They can help you adjust without judgment. Some people use phone reminders or tie the pill to a daily habit. If daily pills are a struggle, ask about other options.

Side effects and safety

The CDC says some people have mild side effects at first, such as nausea or headache, and that these often pass. Kidney and bone effects are possible with some oral PrEP medicines, which is why the clinic checks kidney function. Tell your clinician about any symptoms or other medicines.

Stopping PrEP

You can stop PrEP when your situation changes. Talk to your clinician first. For some people, such as those with hepatitis B, there are extra steps to consider when stopping.

STI testing and treatment still matter

PrEP prevents HIV, not other infections. The CDC's 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines support regular screening based on the type of sex you have and your partners. Bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis can be cured with treatment from a clinician. Herpes and HPV are manageable, and HIV is treatable.

The CDC also issued 2024 guidance on doxycycline taken after sex, called doxy-PEP, for certain people at higher risk of bacterial STIs. It is a prescription decision for a clinician, and not everyone is a candidate. If you are on PrEP, you can ask whether it applies to you.

Florida law requires clinicians and laboratories to report certain infections to the Department of Health. Florida Statute 384.25 says reports must be made within a period set by rule, not to exceed two weeks. This is public health reporting, and the department handles it as such. Clinics also offer confidential counseling and partner notification.

Partner care

If a clinician diagnoses a bacterial STI, Florida law allows expedited partner therapy in some cases. Florida Statute 384.27 lets licensed practitioners provide treatment for a partner when the patient reports a partner who is unable or unlikely to seek care in a timely manner. Ask your clinician whether it applies to you.

Pregnancy and prenatal care

Florida Statute 384.31 and Rule 64D-3.042 require testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis at the first prenatal exam and again at 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy. A pregnant person can decline in writing. If you are pregnant and thinking about PrEP, tell your prenatal clinician.

A word about HIV and Florida law

Florida Statute 384.24 makes it unlawful for a person who knows they have an STI, including HIV, and who has been told it can spread sexually, to have sex with someone who has not been informed and has not consented. Florida Statute 775.0877 adds provisions about HIV testing after certain offenses. If you have questions about how these laws apply to you, a clinic counselor or an attorney can help. Knowing your status through testing and getting care are the strongest steps for health.

Your next step

If you are curious about PrEP, a good first step is an HIV and STI test. Free and low-cost options are listed above, and gettested.cdc.gov lets you find more by ZIP code. Then call Care Resource or CAN Community Health, or your own provider, and ask about PrEP. You do not need to have everything figured out before you call.

PrEP in Fort Lauderdale: How to Get It, What It Costs and Who It Is For