PrEP in Malaysia: how to get HIV PrEP, what it costs and the tests you need

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medicine that people without HIV take so they don’t get it. Taken properly, it is one of the most effective ways to prevent HIV. In Malaysia you can get PrEP free at selected government clinics, or from a private clinic, including online with a doctor’s prescription.

In short: PrEP is one tablet a day containing emtricitabine and tenofovir. Before you start you need a negative HIV test, a kidney test and a hepatitis B test. At CAREPLUS Clinic, a month of PrEP (Tenof-EM, 30 tablets) costs RM130, with a free doctor consultation and e-prescription when PrEP is suitable for you.

What is PrEP and how does it work?

The PrEP tablet used in Malaysia contains two HIV medicines: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) 300 mg and emtricitabine (FTC) 200 mg. If HIV gets into your body, these medicines stop the virus from copying itself, so the infection can’t take hold.

The original brand is Truvada. Generic versions, such as Tenof-EM, contain the same two medicines in the same doses. See Tenof-EM vs Truvada.

How well does PrEP work?

Taken as prescribed, PrEP lowers the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%, and from injecting drugs by at least 74%. Almost all PrEP failures happen because tablets were missed, so taking it consistently is what matters most.

PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (such as syphilis, gonorrhoea or chlamydia) or against pregnancy. Use condoms to protect against other STIs, and condoms or another contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy.

Who should think about PrEP?

Malaysia’s national PrEP guideline recommends PrEP for people who are HIV-negative and at substantial risk of HIV, for example if you:

• don’t always use condoms for anal or vaginal sex
• had a sexually transmitted infection recently, or have needed PEP (emergency HIV medicine) before
• have a partner with HIV who is not on effective treatment
• inject drugs or share injecting equipment
• have chemsex or transactional sex
• feel you need it after talking it through with a doctor or counsellor

Men who have sex with men are among the groups most affected by HIV in Malaysia, but PrEP is for anyone at risk, whatever their gender or sexuality.

Tests you need before starting PrEP

PrEP is a prescription medicine, and the doctor needs these results first:

1. HIV test. You must be HIV-negative. Taking PrEP when you already have HIV can make the virus resistant to treatment.
2. Kidney function (creatinine). Tenofovir is cleared by the kidneys, so kidney function is checked before you start and regularly afterwards.
3. Hepatitis B. PrEP medicines also act on hepatitis B, so if you have it, stopping PrEP suddenly can cause a flare-up.

Doctors usually test for syphilis and hepatitis C too. Our guide to the blood tests for PrEP explains each one.

Where to get PrEP in Malaysia

Government clinics (free)

The Ministry of Health started offering PrEP free of charge in January 2023. By June 2025 it was available at 35 government health clinics, and more than 9,000 people had started it. Ask your nearest Klinik Kesihatan whether it offers PrEP, and expect a visit for counselling and tests.

Private clinics and online

Private clinics, including CAREPLUS Clinic in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, prescribe PrEP for people who prefer more flexible appointments or home delivery. With our PrEP online service:

1. Order and pay online.
2. Attach your test results at checkout: kidney function and hepatitis B from the last 12 months, and a recent HIV test (our doctor will ask for a new one if yours isn’t recent enough). No results yet? Just order, and our doctor will contact you for a free consultation.
3. Our doctor reviews your order and may call you briefly.
4. Your PrEP is sent by tracked courier anywhere in Malaysia, or you collect it at the clinic.

How much does PrEP cost?

PrEP is free at government clinics that offer it. At CAREPLUS Clinic, a month’s supply of Tenof-EM (30 tablets) costs RM130, with a free doctor consultation and e-prescription when PrEP is suitable for you, and free delivery. Blood tests cost extra if you need them.

If you order without valid test results or a prescription and then ask for a refund instead of completing them, an 8% processing fee applies. If our doctor decides PrEP isn’t suitable for you, you get a full refund.

How to take PrEP

Daily PrEP: one tablet once a day, at about the same time. You are protected after about 7 days of daily tablets. Daily PrEP suits almost everyone who needs PrEP, unless kidney function is too low. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but never more than 2 tablets in one day.

On-demand (2-1-1) PrEP is an option for cisgender men (whatever their partner’s gender) and for people assigned male at birth who are not taking feminising hormones, when sex can be planned. It isn’t suitable for anyone who has receptive vaginal or front-hole sex. Read daily vs on-demand PrEP before choosing.

Check-ups while you take PrEP

See a doctor every 3 months for an HIV test, a check for side effects and your next supply. Kidney function is re-checked at least once a year (more often if you are 50 or older, or if your kidney function is borderline). Syphilis is checked at least every 6 months, and men who have sex with men and trans women are advised to have syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia checks every 3 months.

Side effects

Most people have none, or only mild nausea, headache or tiredness in the first few weeks. See PrEP side effects for what is normal and when to call a doctor.

Already exposed? You need PEP, not PrEP

If you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours and you are not on PrEP, you need PEP as soon as possible. See PrEP vs PEP.