DoxyPEP is a doxycycline antibiotic which can help prevent bacterial sexually transmitted infections, like chlamydia and syphilis.
To use doxyPEP, you'll take 200mg of doxycycline (two 100mg pills) within a 24 hour timeframe (no later than 72 hours) after sex. You should not take more than 200mg within a 24 hour period. If you have sex again, you should wait at least 24 hours before taking another dose.
It is advised that you avoid dairy, antacids, and supplements with calcium, magnesium, or iron for two hours before or after your dose. These can make doxyPEP less effective.
Speak with your axess sexual health clinician about doxyPEP.
Studies show that doxyPEP can reduce the chance of getting chlamydia by 70-89% and syphilis by 73-87%.
It does not give protection against infections caused by viruses. This includes herpes, warts, HIV and heptatitis.
Doxycycline can make skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. If you use doxyPEP regularly, it's advised that you use sunscreen and be careful in the sun.
You may encounter a mild side effect of nausea, headaches or stomach irritation. You should take doxyPEP with a large glass of water and some food. This may help to reduce the chance of any side effects.
It is encouraged that you stay upright for about 30 minutes after taking it. This can help you to avoid acid reflux.
Antibiotic resistance describes when bacteria changes to become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat them.
Some people worry that regular use of doxycycline may lead to antibiotic resistance, or upset the balance of healthy bacteria in a person's gut.
People who are at higher risk of acquiring an STI may benefit from DoxyPEP - whether because it can give them peace of mind about having sex without condoms or because it will reduce the risk of them developing a symptomatic STI. Antimicrobial resistance is a real concern but, without clear ongoing evidence of DoxyPEP’s impact, this does not necessarily outweigh the potential benefits to individuals and communities that DoxyPEP can have.
Doxycycline use is associated with a loss of some of the ‘good bacteria’ that make up the microbiome of the gut. The microbiome of the human gut is important for a number of things in the body, including digestion and immune health. Some studies have linked declines in the diversity of the human gut microbiome with certain chronic diseases - like diabetes - and weight gain. No evidence yet links DoxyPEP use to significant declines in the health of the gut microbiome
However, many experts believe that antibiotic resistance caused by regular use of doxycycline is unlikely to be a problem, as it is already provided long-term for other health issues without causing any problems.
Doxycycline should not be used in pregnancy.
If you are allergic to doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics, you should not use doxyPEP.
Certain medications, such as indigestion remedies, acne treatments with vitamin A (Isotretinoin capsules aka Roaccutane) , blood thinners, or epilepsy medications, should not be used alongside doxycycline. Speak with your doctor or clinician about the medications you're currently taking.
