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Are there any morning after pills to prevent transmission of AIDS in the case that a condom has broken?

Prevention against the exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains the most effective method in preventing HIV. However, for those who are not infected with HIV but are exposed to HIV, there may be a window of opportunity in the first few hours or days after exposure in which antiretroviral combination therapy may be able to prevent established infection.

It has been suggested that taking antiretroviral medications after a sexual or injection drug use exposure may reduce the rate of new HIV infections. There is currently information from three different settings that suggest that post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) might be an effective strategy in reducing, but not entirely preventing, new HIV infections after nonoccupational exposures. Nonoccupational exposure is any direct mucosal, percutaneous, or intravenous contact with potentially infectious body fluids that occurs outside perinatal or occupational situations (e.g., health-care, sanitation, public safety, or laboratory employment). Potentially infectious body fluids are blood, semen, vaginal secretions, rectal secretions, breast milk or other body fluid that is contaminated with visible blood.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services a 28-day course of Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy (HAART; a combination of several antiretroviral drugs) is recommended for persons who have had nonoccupational exposure to blood, genital secretions, or other potentially infected body fluids of a persons known to be HIV infected when that exposure represents a substantial risk for HIV transmission and when the person seeks care within 72 hours of exposure. When indicated, antiretroviral nPEP (nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis) should be initiated promptly for the best chance of success.

It has been found that when nPEP is administered within 48-72 hours and continued for 28 days after musocsal and other nonocupational exposures, the risk for acquiring HIV infection is reduced. The earlier that nPEP is administered after exposure, the more likely it is to interrupt transmission.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that because HIV is an incurable transmissible infection that affects the quality and duration of life, HAART should be used to maximally suppress local viral replication that otherwise might occur in the days after exposure and potentially lead to a disseminated, established infection. One of the HAART combinations recommended for the treatment of persons with established HIV infection should be selected on the basis of adherence, toxicity, and cost considerations (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, January 2005).

For additional information see http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5402a1.htm

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