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 medicine that helps prevent HIV in people who do not have it. In Tucson, you can start PrEP at county public health clinics, community health centers and other local providers, and several of them use income-based fees. This guide covers who PrEP is for, the types of PrEP, what the first visit involves, how coverage and cost work, and where to start locally.

The goal is to help you walk into an appointment with clear questions. A clinician decides whether PrEP fits your situation, and this guide does not replace that conversation.

Key takeaways

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is HIV prevention medicine prescribed by a clinician.
The CDC says daily oral PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent when taken as prescribed, and the risk from injection drug use by at least 74 percent.
PrEP comes as a daily pill and as long-acting injections given by a clinician. A clinician can also talk with you about on-demand dosing for the groups the CDC describes.
Starting PrEP requires an HIV test first, plus other lab work, and then regular follow-up visits.
The Pima County Health Department lists PrEP Starter Packs and PrEP navigation at its Theresa Lee Public Health Center and its Northwest Clinic. It says fees follow a sliding scale based on income and that nobody is turned away for inability to pay.
The Affordable Care Act preventive rules mean many insurance plans cover PrEP-related care without cost sharing. Check your own plan.
PrEP does not protect against other STIs, so testing and other prevention tools still matter.

What PrEP is and how well it works
Who PrEP is for
Types of PrEP: daily, on-demand and injectable
How to get PrEP: the visit, the labs and follow-up
PrEP cost and coverage in Tucson
Where to get PrEP in Tucson
PrEP, PEP, STI testing and other prevention
Common questions

What PrEP is and how well it works

The basics

PrEP is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It means taking HIV medicine before a possible exposure so the virus has a much harder time taking hold in the body. People use PrEP for HIV prevention, and a clinician has to prescribe it.

PrEP is for people who do not have HIV. A person who already has HIV needs a different kind of care, which is HIV treatment. HIV is not curable, but it is treatable and manageable with medicine from a clinician.

How well it works

The CDC reports that daily oral PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent when it is taken as prescribed. For people who inject drugs, the CDC reports a reduction of at least 74 percent. Those figures depend on taking the medicine as directed, which is why follow-up visits and honest conversations with your clinician are part of the plan.

How long before it protects you

PrEP does not work the instant you take the first dose. The CDC says oral PrEP reaches maximum protection at about 7 days of daily use for receptive anal sex. For receptive vaginal sex and for injection drug use, the CDC says it takes about 21 days of daily use. Your clinician can tell you what applies to you and what to use in the meantime.

Why it matters in Pima County

HIV is still being diagnosed in Southern Arizona. Local news, citing the Arizona Department of Health Services, reported 141 new HIV diagnoses in Pima County in 2022, a 15 percent increase. The same report counted 975 new diagnoses statewide, a 20 percent increase from 2021. The Pima County Health Department also states on its HIV and STI page that syphilis is on the rise in the county. These numbers are a reason to know your options, not a reason for fear.

Who PrEP is for

PrEP is for people who do not have HIV and who may be exposed to it through sex or through sharing injection equipment. It is not tied to a gender, an orientation or a type of relationship. Anyone who wants to talk about it can ask a clinician.

Who the CDC says to talk with about PrEP

CDC clinical guidance says clinicians should discuss PrEP with sexually active adults and adolescents who have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and who also:

have a sex partner with HIV, especially if that partner has not had a steady, undetectable viral load;
have had a bacterial STI in the past 6 months; or
do not always use condoms with partners whose HIV status they do not know.

The CDC also says PrEP should be discussed with people who inject drugs and who have an injection partner with HIV or who share needles, syringes or other equipment.

The CDC adds that a clinician should offer PrEP to anyone who asks for it, even if they do not match a category above. You do not have to prove you qualify before bringing it up.

People in relationships with someone who has HIV

The CDC says a person with HIV who takes HIV medicine and keeps a steady undetectable viral load does not pass HIV to sex partners. Some couples use PrEP as well, for example while a partner's viral load is still coming down. A clinician can help a couple decide what makes sense.

People who are pregnant or trying to conceive

PrEP can be part of planning for people who want to conceive with a partner who has HIV, or who are pregnant. This is a conversation to have with a clinician, who can talk through which options are suitable and what testing is needed.

Teens and young adults in Tucson

Arizona law, A.R.S. 44-132.01, says a minor who may have a venereal disease can consent to medical care for its diagnosis or treatment, and a parent's consent is not required. The Pima County Health Department's HIV and STI page also says minors do not need parental consent at its clinics. The law is about venereal disease care, and the sources do not spell out how it applies to a PrEP prescription. If you are under 18, ask the clinic directly how it handles PrEP, billing and privacy before your visit.

Types of PrEP: daily, on-demand and injectable

There is more than one way to take PrEP today. The right one depends on your body, your routine, your lab results and your preferences. A clinician helps you pick.

Daily oral PrEP

This is a pill taken every day. It is the longest-studied form and the one the CDC figures above describe. Some people feel mild nausea or stomach upset when they start. The CDC says these effects are usually mild and tend to pass in the first weeks. Oral PrEP can affect kidney function in some people, which is one reason follow-up labs are part of care.

On-demand PrEP, often called 2-1-1

On-demand PrEP means taking oral PrEP around a sexual exposure rather than every day. It is often called 2-1-1 after the timing pattern. The CDC describes this approach only for certain groups of men who have sex with men, and it is not the same as daily use. The CDC says there is not enough evidence to recommend it for other groups, including people who have vaginal sex and people who inject drugs. If this option interests you, ask a clinician whether it fits your situation and how the timing would work for you. Do not start it on your own.

Long-acting injectable PrEP

Injectable PrEP is given by a clinician at a clinic, so there is no daily pill. The injections are spaced much further apart than daily dosing. CDC guidance now includes long-acting injectable options alongside oral PrEP. Injectable PrEP also needs an HIV test before starting and again at follow-up visits. It requires a clinic visit for each injection, so the plan has to fit your schedule. Ask the clinics below which injectable options they offer, and what your insurance or an assistance program covers, because the local pages do not list this.

How to get PrEP: the visit, the labs and follow-up

If you are wondering how to get PrEP, the path is the same almost everywhere: you talk with a prescribing clinician, you get tested, and then you start if the clinician agrees it is right for you.

Step 1: Choose a place to start

You can ask your regular primary care provider, a county public health clinic, a community health center or a clinic that focuses on sexual health. If you do not have a regular provider, the local clinics in the next sections are a good place to start. Some clinics have PrEP navigators, who are staff that help with appointments, coverage forms and assistance programs.

Step 2: Talk openly with the clinician

The first visit includes questions about your health, medicines and sexual or drug-use history. These questions help the clinician choose the right option. They are not a judgment. You can bring up any concerns, including privacy, work schedules, or what you can afford.

Step 3: Lab tests

CDC guidance says an HIV test is needed before starting PrEP, because PrEP alone is not enough treatment for someone who has HIV. Clinicians also usually check kidney function for oral PrEP, test for hepatitis B, and offer testing for other STIs. Some people also have a pregnancy test. The exact list is the clinician's call.

Step 4: Start and stay in touch

If you and the clinician decide to go ahead, you get a prescription or, at some county sites, a starter supply. The CDC advises follow-up with HIV testing about every 3 months while taking PrEP. Those visits also let you ask about side effects, refills, STI testing and costs. If you want to stop PrEP or change types, talk to the clinician first so the change is planned.

What to bring

A list of medicines and supplements you take.
Your insurance card, if you have one.
Notes on when you might not be able to take or pick up medicine.
Your questions, written down.

PrEP cost and coverage in Tucson

The cost of PrEP varies a lot depending on insurance, income and the program you use. None of the Tucson clinic pages we reviewed list a price for the medicine itself, so ask the clinic for a quote before you decide.

Insurance and the ACA

The US Preventive Services Task Force gives PrEP an A grade for people at increased risk of HIV. Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans must cover services with an A or B grade without cost sharing, though a few plan types, such as grandfathered plans, are exempt. That can include PrEP and related services such as lab tests and clinic visits. Plans differ, so call the number on your insurance card and ask what is covered, whether you need prior authorization, and which pharmacies are in network.

Medicaid in Arizona is run through AHCCCS, and Medicare has its own rules. The local sources do not detail either program's PrEP coverage, so confirm with the clinic or the plan.

Sliding scale fees at county clinics

The Pima County Health Department says its HIV and STI clinics use a sliding fee scale based on income and that nobody is turned away for inability to pay. The county page lists PrEP Starter Packs and PrEP navigation at both the Theresa Lee Public Health Center and the Northwest Clinic. The page does not give dollar amounts, so ask the clinic what your fee would be.

Free and lower-cost options

Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF Health) lists free HIV testing, and the CDC's GetTested listing notes PrEP for uninsured people at SAAF. Eligibility is not published, so contact SAAF to ask. The CDC listings for El Rio Health note PrEP navigation and sliding fee scale acceptance, and a listing for El Rio's Southeast Campus notes PrEP for uninsured patients. Both say to contact El Rio about eligibility.

The federal government also runs a national program, Ready, Set, PrEP, that has offered PrEP medicine at no cost to eligible people without prescription coverage. Program details can change, so check the HHS page for current rules. A PrEP navigator at a local clinic can also point you to assistance programs you might qualify for.

Questions to ask about cost

What will I pay for the visit, the labs and the medicine?
Is there a sliding scale, and what proof of income do you need?
Can I get a starter supply while coverage is being sorted out?
Will an insurance statement mailed home show this visit? (Ask this if privacy is a concern.)

Where to get PrEP in Tucson

Hours and services change. Call before you go, and ask whether you need an appointment.

Pima County Health Department

The county lists PrEP Starter Packs and navigation at two clinics. Both use a sliding fee scale, and the county says minors do not need parental consent.

Theresa Lee Public Health Center, 1493 W. Commerce Court, Tucson, AZ 85746. Phone 520-724-7900. The county's HIV and STI page says clients are seen on a walk-in basis, but its Clinic Hours page lists HIV and STI testing as by appointment only, so call first. No services run from noon to 1 p.m., and the clinic is closed the first Thursday of every month.
Pima County Northwest Clinic, 1010 W. Miracle Mile, Tucson, AZ 85705. Phone 520-724-2880. The county's Clinic Hours page lists HIV and STI testing but no hours for it. It says walk-in services are available as capacity allows. The same noon-to-1 p.m. and first-Thursday closures apply county-wide.

More details are on the county's HIV and sexually transmitted infections page and Clinic Hours page.

Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF Health)

375 S. Euclid Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719. Phone 520-628-7223 (toll-free 800-771-9054). SAAF describes PrEP as a pill taken once a day to help prevent HIV and also lists PEP. SAAF says making an appointment is your best option for testing, and it has a Wednesday evening walk-in window from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Its office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Details are on SAAF's testing page.

El Rio Health

El Rio is a federally qualified health center. The CDC GetTested listing for the Congress Street location (839 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85745) notes PrEP navigation, appointments required, and acceptance of insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and a sliding scale. The Southeast Campus (6950 E Golf Links Rd, Tucson, AZ 85730) is also listed with PrEP for uninsured patients. Both use phone 520-670-3909. These details come from the CDC directory, which says hours can change, so call to confirm. No fee amounts are published.

Planned Parenthood Southern Arizona Regional Health Center

2255 N Wyatt Dr, Tucson, AZ 85712. Phone 520-408-7526. A 211 Arizona listing shows PrEP, PEP and testing services, and says fees vary. The listing says walk-ins are accepted and gives weekday hours, but other directories show a different phone number and hours, so confirm by phone before you go.

University of Arizona Campus Health Service

For students, Campus Health says its providers can prescribe PrEP and PEP as needed. Phone 520-621-9202. This is not a public clinic. Its express STI testing is for students only.

HIV specialty care

The county page also lists the University of Arizona Petersen HIV Clinics at 520-626-8598 for PrEP, PEP and HIV care. For urgent PEP after a possible exposure, it lists the Banner emergency department at 1501 N. Campbell Ave.

PrEP, PEP, STI testing and other prevention

PrEP and PEP are different

PrEP is taken before a possible exposure. PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is HIV medicine started after a possible exposure. The CDC says PEP must start within 72 hours, and sooner is better. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last few days, contact a clinic, urgent care or emergency department right away and tell them it is about PEP. Some people move from PEP to PrEP afterward if they continue to have exposure risk.

PrEP does not protect against other STIs

PrEP helps prevent HIV only. It does not prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes or HPV. Pima County's health indicator page, citing national CDC data for 2023, shows a chlamydia rate of 555 per 100,000 people, a gonorrhea rate of 172 per 100,000, and a primary and secondary syphilis rate of 26.1 per 100,000. Bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. Herpes and HPV are manageable. Regular testing is part of good sexual health care for people on PrEP, and PrEP visits are a convenient place to do it.

If you want to see where to get tested, our list of Tucson STD testing options and what they cost covers local clinics. The CDC's GetTested locator can also help you find a free or low-cost site by ZIP code.

Doxy-PEP

In 2024 the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex to lower the risk of certain bacterial STIs for some groups. It is a prescription decision a clinician makes and is separate from PrEP. If you are interested, bring it up at your visit. Local availability is not published, so ask the clinic.

Condoms and other tools

Condoms lower the risk of HIV and many other STIs. For people who inject drugs, using new sterile equipment each time lowers risk. Many people combine tools. PrEP, condoms, testing and treatment of any STI found can all work together, and none of them is required to be perfect.

Common questions

Do I need to test for HIV before PrEP?

Yes. The CDC says an HIV test is needed before starting PrEP and at follow-up visits. A clinician or test result can tell you more about your own status. This guide cannot.

Will PrEP show up on my insurance statement?

It might. Explanation-of-benefits mailings can list services. If privacy matters, ask the clinic about their options before you register, such as sliding-scale or program-based payment.

What if I miss doses?

Missed doses can lower protection. Tell your clinician without worry, because they can help you find a routine or consider another type of PrEP, such as a long-acting injection.

Can I take PrEP if I am on other medicines?

Often yes, but some medicines and supplements matter. Give the clinician your full list.

Is PrEP only for certain groups of people?

No. PrEP is for anyone who may be exposed to HIV and wants to lower that risk. The CDC's list of who to discuss it with is a starting point, not a gate.

What should I do next?

Pick one clinic from the list above and call. Ask whether you need an appointment, what the visit costs and whether they have a PrEP navigator. If you are not sure of your HIV status, ask for an HIV test at the same visit. Free and low-cost testing is available locally, and the clinic can walk you through the rest.

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