DoxyPEP
for STI prevention
- Use within 24 hours after sex if you can, otherwise within 72 hours.
- Prevents bacterial STIs.
- Some people have stomach issues with it.
DoxyPEP is an antibiotic to prevent syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. It’s “post-exposure” prophylaxis (PEP), so you take it after sex. You need two 100mg pills.
It’s about 80% effective against syphilis and chlamydia. It’s about 50% effective against gonorrhea.
So far, it has only been shown to work for cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women. It didn’t work in cisgender women. But, most weren’t taking it. So, we don’t know if it works for people assigned female at birth.
Within 24 to 72 hours after sex. No more than 1 dose (2 pills) a day.
You take it within 24 hours, but up to 72 hours after sex is fine.
It probably won’t work if you’re exposed to an STI and haven’t taken a pill within 72 hours.
Stomach issues including nausea and diarrhea in some.
It can irritate your esophagus (food pipe) so best to take with a lot of water and not to lie down right afterwards.
It can cause sun sensitivity, so stay out of the sun and/or use sunblock.
It can cause vaginal yeast infections.
No. Just take it after sex.
It’s cheap, but the exact amount will depend on your insurance. Without insurance or patient assistance programs, it’s’ $2-$10 for 7 doses (14 pills).
It protects you against bacterial STIs with just one dose after sex.
You can use DoxyPEP while taking PrEP.
It doesn’t protect you against viral STIs like HIV or herpes.
You need to remember to take it.
You can’t substitute other antibiotics for doxycycline.
It won’t interfere with your hormones and your hormones don’t interfere with doxycycline.
It’s an antibiotic that kills bacteria.
