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 people who do not have HIV take to lower their chance of getting it. If you are looking into PrEP in San Diego, you have several clinics to choose from, including a few that offer it at low or no cost. This guide explains how PrEP works, who it is for, how to start, what the visits involve and how to think about cost.

It is written for everyone: people of any gender, any orientation and any relationship status. Nothing here assumes why you are asking.

Key takeaways

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is prescribed by a clinician and is used by people who do not have HIV.
The CDC says PrEP lowers the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent when it is taken as prescribed. For people who inject drugs, the CDC says the reduction is at least 74 percent.
PrEP comes as a daily pill and as injections. A clinician can tell you which options fit your life and your health.
Before you start, you will have an HIV test and some other lab work. After you start, you will have regular follow-up visits.
In San Diego, Family Health Centers of San Diego, the County of San Diego sexual health clinic, the San Diego LGBT Community Center, Planned Parenthood and UC San Diego Health all appear in public listings with PrEP services or PrEP navigation.
Many health plans cover PrEP without a copay under federal preventive care rules. If you are uninsured, ask the clinic about fee waivers and sliding scale options.
PrEP does not protect against other STIs. Regular testing is part of good PrEP care.

What PrEP is and how it works

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

PrEP is HIV prevention medicine. When people search for "PrEP HIV" they are often trying to understand how one relates to the other. The answer is simple. PrEP is for people who do not have HIV. A clinician prescribes it, and it works by keeping the virus from establishing itself in the body if exposure happens.

How well it works

The CDC states that 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 it reduces the risk by at least 74 percent. The key phrase is "as prescribed." The protection depends on using the medicine the way your clinician explains.

What PrEP does not do

PrEP prevents HIV. It does not prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV or other infections. It also does not prevent pregnancy. That is why PrEP care includes regular STI testing, and why many people combine it with condoms, vaccines and other tools.

PrEP is not the same as PEP

PEP is post-exposure prophylaxis. It is started after a possible exposure to HIV, and the CDC says it must begin within 72 hours. PrEP is started ahead of time. If you think you may have had an exposure in the last few days, contact a clinic or urgent care right away and ask about PEP. Hillcrest Family Health Center and The Night Clinic both list PEP among their services.

Who PrEP is for

The CDC recommends that clinicians talk about PrEP with anyone who is sexually active or who injects drugs and who may be at risk of HIV. The CDC describes this as including:

People who have had a partner with HIV who is not on effective treatment.
People who have had anal or vaginal sex in the past six months and who have a partner whose HIV status they do not know, or who have not consistently used condoms.
People who have been diagnosed with a bacterial STI in the past six months.
People who inject drugs and share needles or other equipment.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) gives PrEP an "A" grade. That means it recommends clinicians offer PrEP to people at increased risk of HIV.

Who decides

You do. A clinician can walk through your situation with you and explain what PrEP could and could not do. This guide cannot tell you whether PrEP is right for your body or your life. It can help you walk into that conversation prepared.

People who may not think of PrEP as "for them"

PrEP is not limited to one group. It can be relevant to:

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
Transgender and nonbinary people.
Women and men in relationships with a partner who has HIV, including people who are trying to conceive.
People who have several partners, or a new partner, or a partner whose status they do not know.
People who inject drugs.

Wanting a layer of protection is a health decision. It says nothing about character, and clinicians who provide PrEP are used to these conversations.

Younger people

California Family Code section 6926 allows a minor age 12 or older to consent to care related to the prevention of a sexually transmitted disease, and to diagnosis and treatment of certain infections. Parents are not liable for payment. The Guttmacher Institute lists no parental notification requirement for California. PrEP prevents HIV, and HIV is a reportable infectious disease, but whether a specific prescription falls under this statute is a question for the clinic. Ask about confidentiality when you book.

Forms of PrEP: daily pills, on-demand use and injections

There is more than one way to take PrEP. A clinician prescribes it, and the right option depends on your health, your kidney function, your routine and your preferences. This guide does not give doses or schedules. Your clinician will explain exactly how to take whichever form you choose.

Daily oral PrEP

This is a pill taken once a day. It is the form with the longest track record, and the CDC's clinical guidance covers it for sex and for injection drug use. The CDC says that for protection from sex, it takes time for the medicine to build up in the body, and that the amount of time depends on the type of sex and the person. A clinician will tell you how long to wait before relying on it.

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

Some people hear about an event-based approach known as "2-1-1." The CDC's clinical guidance describes it only for certain situations: it has been studied in cisgender men who have sex with men, and the CDC notes that evidence is not available for other groups. It is not described as an option for people who inject drugs or for vaginal sex. If you think this approach might suit you, ask a clinician whether it applies to your circumstances. Do not start it on your own.

Injectable PrEP

PrEP is also available as an injection given by a clinician instead of a daily pill. Injectable options are given at a clinic every two months or, for a newer option the FDA approved in 2025, every six months. People often consider injections if they find daily pills hard to keep up with. Injections still require HIV testing at visits. Ask the clinic you choose what it stocks and how it handles the insurance process, because availability varies. The public listings for San Diego clinics do not say which injectable options each one offers, so check with the clinic directly.

Choosing between them

Questions worth bringing to your visit:

Which forms are appropriate for my body and my kind of exposure?
Which is covered by my plan, and what will I pay?
How often will I need to come in?
What happens if I miss a dose or a visit?
Can I switch later?

How to get PrEP in San Diego

The steps to getting PrEP are the same everywhere. You see a clinician, you have an HIV test and some other labs, and you get a prescription if it is appropriate. Here is how that plays out locally.

Step 1: Pick a place to start

You can start with your own doctor if you have one. Many primary care offices prescribe PrEP. If you do not have a doctor, or you want a clinic that does this every day, the options below are listed in public directories.

Step 2: Call or walk in

Some clinics take walk-ins and some require appointments. Details can change, so a quick phone call is worth it. Ask what to bring, whether you need insurance information and whether they can discuss fees ahead of time.

Step 3: Have the visit and labs

The next section covers what happens. Many clinics start the process in one visit.

Step 4: Fill the prescription and set up follow-up

Before you leave, ask who handles refills, how follow-up visits are scheduled and who to call if you have questions.

PrEP clinics and programs in San Diego

The clinics below come from public directories and clinic websites. Hours and policies can change, so confirm by phone before you go.

Family Health Centers of San Diego: Hillcrest

Family Health Centers of San Diego says PrEP is available at all of its primary care clinics, and that it may be covered by insurance or available at low or no cost. Two Hillcrest options are listed at 4094 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103.

Hillcrest Family Health Center (daytime): Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The page says walk-ins are welcome and that the clinic may be able to waive fees or help with insurance enrollment. It lists STI screening and treatment, PrEP, PEP, and HIV and hepatitis services. Appointments: (619) 515-2300. Information: (619) 515-2545.
The Night Clinic at Hillcrest Family Health Center: Monday to Thursday, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Friday is not listed). The page offers free and confidential HIV testing and low-cost STI tests, and lists PrEP, PEP, doxy-PEP, HIV and hepatitis testing, and STI treatment. It says walk-ins are welcome and that parking is free. Call (619) 515-2545 or (619) 515-2300.

County of San Diego Central Public Health Center sexual health clinic

This county clinic is at 5101 Market St, San Diego, CA 92114. The CDC GetTested listing says it offers HIV, hepatitis B and C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing, along with PrEP navigation and several vaccines. The listing says it accepts insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, charges based on income, and lists a free HIV test and a free STI test. Call (619) 229-5400 to confirm eligibility. The listing says an appointment is required, while other county material suggests walk-ins, so ask when you call. The county's sexual health clinical services information is on the County of San Diego HIV, STD and Hepatitis Branch page.

San Diego LGBT Community Center

The Center is at 3909 Centre Street, San Diego, CA 92103, phone 619-692-2077. A CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) listing shows no fee for services, on-site rapid HIV testing, and PrEP navigation. Listed hours are Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a note to call for testing hours. Eligibility is listed as "contact the organization," so call before you go.

Planned Parenthood College Avenue

The Planned Parenthood College Avenue Sarah Weddington Center is at 4575 College Ave, San Diego, CA 92115, phone (888) 743-7526. The CDC GetTested listing shows that appointments are not required, that payment options include insurance, Medicaid and a sliding scale, and that PrEP navigation is offered. Hours are not published in the listing, so check with the health center.

UC San Diego Health Owen Clinic

UC San Diego Health runs a PrEP clinic through the Owen Clinic for HIV-negative patients who are interested in PrEP. Appointments are made by phone at 619-543-3995. The Owen Clinic page does not mention STI testing, so treat it as a PrEP and HIV care option and use another site for routine STI testing. Cost and address are not published on the clinic page, so ask when you call.

What the visits and lab tests involve

The CDC's PrEP clinical guidance, supported by USPSTF recommendations, outlines what clinicians do before and during PrEP. Your clinic may order slightly different tests, but this is the usual pattern.

The first visit

A clinician will talk with you about your health history, your medications and your sexual health. They will ask about things that affect which form of PrEP fits you. The questions are routine. You can ask for a different clinician or take a break at any time.

Labs commonly include:

An HIV test. PrEP is for people who do not have HIV, so a test comes first. If a test result is positive, a clinician explains next steps. HIV is not curable, but it is treatable and manageable with medicine.
Kidney function. Some forms of PrEP are processed by the kidneys, so a blood test helps the clinician choose.
Hepatitis B testing. Some PrEP medicines also act on hepatitis B, so a clinician needs to know your status.
STI testing. This can include chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, depending on the kinds of sex you have. Samples may be a urine test, a swab, or blood.

Why the HIV test comes first

HIV tests cannot detect the virus right away after an exposure. The CDC says a nucleic acid test can usually detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure, an antigen/antibody lab test on a blood draw 18 to 45 days after, and an antigen/antibody finger-prick test 18 to 90 days after. Antibody-only tests can take 23 to 90 days. If you had a recent possible exposure, tell the clinician. They can pick the right test and explain what the timing means.

Follow-up visits

The CDC's guidance calls for follow-up, including HIV testing, at regular intervals while you are on PrEP. For many people on daily pills that is about every three months. Injections have their own schedule that your clinic sets. Follow-up visits also usually include STI screening, a check on kidney function when relevant, and a conversation about how it is going. If something is not working, such as side effects or trouble with the routine, that is the time to say so.

Side effects

Some people have mild stomach upset or headaches when they start oral PrEP. Injections can cause soreness at the injection site. A clinician can explain what is common for the medicine you are prescribed and what to report. Do not stop or change your PrEP without talking to your clinic.

What PrEP costs and how coverage works

Cost is the most common worry, and the answer depends heavily on your situation. Search terms like "HIV PrEP cost" return wildly different numbers because insurance, clinic type and income all change what you pay. This guide does not quote a price because none of the San Diego clinic pages above publish a specific one. Here is how to think about it.

If you have health insurance

USPSTF gives PrEP an "A" grade. Under the Affordable Care Act's preventive services rules, most health plans must cover services with an A or B grade without charging a copay or deductible. The exact coverage depends on your plan type, and the lab tests and clinic visits that go with PrEP may be handled differently. Call the number on your insurance card and ask what is covered, or ask the clinic's staff to check for you. Medicaid and Medicare coverage rules differ, and the County of San Diego clinic listing says it accepts both.

If you are uninsured or underinsured

Several local providers describe options for people with limited coverage:

Family Health Centers of San Diego says PrEP may be covered by insurance or available at low or no cost, and that the Hillcrest clinics may waive fees or help with insurance enrollment.
The County of San Diego clinic listing says it charges based on income and offers a free HIV test and a free STI test.
The San Diego LGBT Community Center listing shows no fee for services, with eligibility to be confirmed by phone.
Planned Parenthood College Avenue lists sliding scale payment and says its PrEP program supports people without insurance.

Manufacturers and public programs also run medication assistance. The listings used for this guide do not describe California or national assistance programs in detail, so ask the clinic's navigator, or check with the County of San Diego HIV, STD and Hepatitis Branch, about what is available right now.

Questions to ask about cost

What will the visit cost, and what will each lab cost?
Does the clinic have a fee waiver or sliding scale?
Can someone help me enroll in coverage?
Is there help paying for the medicine itself?
Will anything show up on an insurance statement sent to the policyholder? (This matters if you are on a family plan and want privacy.)

Cost should not be the reason someone gives up before talking to a clinic. The staff at these clinics handle payment questions every day.

Staying on PrEP and keeping up with testing

Taking it consistently

PrEP works best when it is used the way you were prescribed. People use phone reminders, pair the pill with a daily habit, or choose injections to reduce the day-to-day load. If you miss doses, tell your clinic without worry. They can help you adjust the plan, and the information helps them advise you.

Why STI testing stays on the calendar

PrEP protects against HIV only. Bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are curable with treatment from a clinician, and testing is how they are found. According to the Times of San Diego, reporting San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency data, San Diego County recorded 16,414 chlamydia cases and 6,021 gonorrhea cases in 2024. Both numbers were lower than in 2023. The same report counted 309 cases of primary and secondary syphilis in 2024, down from 481 the year before, and 31 cases of congenital syphilis. These are county totals, and they are a reason regular screening is routine rather than unusual.

If a clinician diagnoses chlamydia, gonorrhea or another specified STI, California Health and Safety Code section 120582 allows the clinician to provide antibiotics to the patient's sexual partners without examining them. This is called expedited partner therapy. It is one way partners can be treated quickly.

For a full list of local places to get tested and what testing costs, see the guide to STD testing in San Diego. You can also look up free and low-cost sites at gettested.cdc.gov, the CDC's testing locator.

Doxy-PEP is a separate tool

In 2024, the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex to reduce the chance of certain bacterial STIs for some groups. It is a different thing from PrEP and is prescribed by a clinician. The Night Clinic at Hillcrest lists doxy-PEP among its services. If you are curious, bring it up at your PrEP visit.

Pausing or stopping

Some people use PrEP for a season of life and then stop. That is a reasonable choice, and you do not need to explain it. Talk to your clinician first so they can tell you how to stop safely and when to get a final HIV test. If your situation changes again, you can restart with a new visit.

Privacy and the law

PrEP use is private health information, protected like any other medical record. California Health and Safety Code section 120290 covers intentional transmission of any infectious or communicable disease and applies the same way across diseases, and it says that taking practical means to prevent transmission, such as using condoms, negates intent. This is a general summary from a public statute mirror, not legal advice.

Common questions

Can I get PrEP without a regular doctor?

Yes. Several San Diego clinics listed above offer PrEP or PrEP navigation without requiring you to have a primary care doctor first.

Does PrEP work right away?

Not always. The CDC says it takes time for the medicine to build up in the body, and the time differs by type of sex and by person. Your clinician will tell you when to count on it.

Can I take PrEP if I am on hormone therapy?

Many people on gender-affirming hormones use PrEP. Tell your clinician about every medicine you take so they can check for interactions.

Can I do any of this by mail?

Family Health Centers of San Diego lists at-home or mail-in testing through TakeMeHome and Don't Think, Know, and says to call (619) 876-4462 for a positive at-home result. Its page does not state eligibility or cost, so check with them first. At-home testing is for screening. PrEP itself still comes from a clinician.

A simple way to start this week

Choose one clinic from the list above.
Call and ask about walk-in hours, costs and what to bring.
Write down your questions before the visit.
Ask about STI testing at the same time.
Put your follow-up visit on your calendar before you leave.

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