Lights, camera, interaction: New PrEP drug-to-drug interactions checker tool is live
The beta version of a new free PrEP drug-interactions checker is now available, helping people quickly identify potential interactions between PrEP, medicines, supplements and recreational drugs. The tool uses a simple traffic-light system to support safer, more informed HIV prevention decisions.
Following on from their work developing websites that allow clinicians to check drug-to-drug interactions (DDIs) when prescribing treatments for HIV, hepatitis, and COVID-19, the DDI team at The University of Liverpool have launched a free tool that does the same for pre-exposure prophylaxis medicines (PrEP), used to prevent HIV acquisition.
This time, the tool is aimed at patients rather than prescribers, with results displayed using a clear, simple traffic light system: green indicates that medications are OK to take together; amber means you should check with your PrEP provider; and red warns users that meds should not be combined.
Research is underway to optimise the accessibility of the language used on the checker, and HPRU BBSTI PhD student Alix Fox is carrying out studies to help inform the development of an accompanying chatbot to answer frequently asked questions about HIV prevention and care.
In addition to prescription medications, the tool provides information on interactions with supplements and recreational drugs, such as those popular in chemsex. New meds are constantly being added to the checker’s library: recent additions include DoxyPEP, an antibiotic taken after sex to prevent certain bacterial STIs, and methaqualone, which evidence suggests is increasingly being used recreationally amongst particular groups. A mobile app version of the PrEP checker is also being prepared for launch, which will function even without a net connection.
Check out the beta version of the site here.
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