DoxyPEP
It's a strategy to prevent bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis and chlamydia by taking the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
What is DoxyPEP?
Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) means taking the antibiotic doxycycline after sex to prevent getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It’s like a morning after pill, but for STIs.
DoxyPEP does NOT help prevent:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Simian pox (mpox)
- Other viral infections
Who should take it?
You should consider taking DoxyPEP if you were assigned male at birth, are at least 12 years old, and:
- Have been diagnosed with at least one bacterial STI (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) in the past 12 months.
- Have had unprotected oral and/or anal sex with at least one person assigned male at birth in the past 12 months.
While current research has shown that DoxyPEP is only effective for people who meet these criteria, we know that people who haven’t recently had an STI or who were assigned female at birth may still be interested in adding DoxyPEP to their STI prevention resources. We encourage anyone who believes they could benefit from DoxyPEP to discuss the risks and benefits with their provider at Howard Brown to see if it might be an option for them.
How do I take DoxyPEP?
Just remember, it’s 3, 2, 1!
In other words:
Within 3 days, or 72 hours, of unprotected sex:
- Take 2 pills, or 200 mg, of doxycycline.
- Only once, or no more than one dose per day.
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