Medically reviewed by Pharm. Jude Ozioko, registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN 024035). Last reviewed October 2026.
If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, first, we’re so sorry. What happened is not your fault. Not because of where you were, what you wore, what you drank, or who it was. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, including us.
You might be in shock right now, or numb, or scared, or all of it at once. That’s normal. You don’t have to work everything out today. But there’s one thing that can’t wait, and it’s the reason this page exists.
Yes, PEP works after rape. It can stop HIV from taking hold, as long as you start it within 72 hours. The sooner, the better.
Why PEP matters after an assault
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of HIV medicine, one tablet a day. It’s recommended after sexual assault because there’s usually no condom, the other person’s HIV status is unknown, and any tearing or bleeding can raise the risk. This is true whether you’re a woman or a man.
Here’s what you need to know about timing:
- PEP has to start within 72 hours of the assault.
- It works best when it starts within hours, so today is better than tomorrow.
- After 72 hours, PEP is no longer recommended, but there’s still a plan, which you’ll find further down.
You don’t have to report it to get PEP
You can get PEP without going to the police first. Your health comes first, and nobody should make you choose between protecting yourself and deciding about a report.
Reporting is your decision, on your timing. If you think you might want to report later, a hospital or a sexual assault referral centre can help you keep that option open. But you never need to make that decision before starting PEP.
How to get PEP privately
Some people avoid hospitals after an assault because they’re afraid of being judged, asked the same painful questions again and again, or seen by someone they know. If that’s you, you can get PEP delivered.
- Message us on WhatsApp. You only need to tell us roughly when it happened and where you are. Nothing more, unless you want to.
- Our team checks that PEP is safe and suitable for you.
- We deliver it in plain packaging, with nothing on the outside to show what’s inside. In Abuja we aim to reach you within 3 hours, in Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Asaba, Warri, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Kano and Jos within hours, and everywhere else within 24 hours at the latest.
- Take your first tablet as soon as it arrives, then one a day for 28 days.
You can also order online if you’d rather not talk to anyone.
Don’t let testing hold you up
PEP is only for people who are HIV-negative, so a baseline test before your first dose is required unless you already know your status. You can add our rapid HIV test kit to your order (paid, subject to availability) and get a result at home in about 20 minutes. But if testing would slow you down, start PEP first and test alongside it.
The other care you deserve
PEP protects you from HIV, but it isn’t the only thing you need after an assault. Please also think about:
- Emergency contraception, if pregnancy is possible. It works best as soon as possible, and some options work up to 5 days after. It’s safe to take with PEP, and we can help you get it.
- Treatment to prevent other infections, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis.
- Care for any injuries, however small they seem.
- Someone to talk to. Many states have sexual assault referral centres, such as the Mirabel Centre in Lagos, where trained staff provide medical care, counselling and support in one place.
You can get PEP from us and still go to a hospital or referral centre for everything else. Doing one doesn’t rule out the other.
If you’re helping someone else
If a friend, partner or family member has told you they were assaulted, believe them. Don’t ask why they were there or what they were doing. Help them count the hours since it happened, and if it’s under 72, help them get PEP today. Then let them decide what happens next.
If it’s been more than 72 hours
PEP won’t help for this exposure now, but you’re not out of options, and you’re not alone.
- Take an HIV test now. It’s your starting point.
- Test again at 6 weeks and at 3 months after the assault, using a fourth-generation test. A negative result at 3 months is conclusive.
- If emergency contraception is still possible, up to 5 days after, get it now.
- Get checked for other infections, and reach out for support whenever you’re ready.
After PEP
Try to finish all 28 days, even if you feel unwell or just want to forget it happened. If side effects are getting to you, most can be managed, so talk to us before stopping. Then test at 6 weeks and 3 months after the assault. Our guide to testing after PEP explains what each result means.
Common questions
Does PEP work after rape?
Yes. PEP is recommended after sexual assault and can stop HIV from taking hold if it’s started within 72 hours. The sooner it starts, the better it works.
Do I have to report to the police to get PEP?
No. You can get PEP without reporting. Whether and when to report is your decision.
Can I take emergency contraception with PEP?
Yes. They’re safe to take together. Emergency contraception works best as soon as possible, and some options work up to 5 days after.
If it happened in the last 72 hours, please reach out now. Message us on WhatsApp. You don’t have to explain anything you’re not ready to.