Based on recommendations and considerations of European and German professional medical associations, DoxyPEP can be useful for cisgender men who have condomless sex with men (MSM) and trans* women who have sex with MSM . Here, condomless sex includes oral, anal and vaginal sex.Additionally, one of the following criteria should be met: - Diagnosed STI infection in the last 12 months - Have had condomless anal sex in the last 3-6 months or are planning to do so - Sex with multiple partners within a short time window - Sex in groups or at sex-positive parties - Chemsex DoxyPEP has not shown effectiveness for persons with vaginas or frontholes so far. Further studies are currently underway and we hope to have results soon.
The evidence base for DoxyPEP is constantly evolving as more studies - including clinical trials - are conducted. According to clinical studies compiled by the German STI Society , DoxyPEP reduces: - Syphilis by 73% to 87% - Chlamydia by 70% to 89% - Gonorrhea by 17% to 57% - On average, across the mentioned STIs, by 47-84% For detailed information, please refer to clinical studies that assessed the efficacy of DoxyPEP: - Bolan et al, 2015 IPERGAY (Molina et al, 2018) - DuDHS Trial (Grennan et al, 2021 ; Tattersall et al, 2020 ) - DoxyPEP (Luetkemeyer et al, 2023) - DoxyVAC (Molina et al, 2023)
DoxyPEP involves taking one 200mg pill of doxycycline as soon as possible but no later than three days after a sexual contact. DoxyPEP is well tolerated. To reduce the potential of possible side effects, DoxyPEP should be taken with a glass of water and not on an empty stomach. It is important to avoid taking supplements or food rich in calcium/magnesium/aluminum at the same time (4 hours), e.g. dairy products, stomach remedies, fitness drinks, electrolytes. These can reduce the effectiveness of the DoxyPEP. DoxyPEP should not be taken more than once within 24 hours.
DoxyPEP is generally well-tolerated and has very few negative interactions with other prescription drugs (see → Interaction with other drugs ) . There is also good experience with the long-term use of doxycycline, for example for acne or, in other countries, as a malaria prophylaxis. Some people may experience side effects when taking DoxyPEP. These can include feelings of nausea, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. One way to minimize the risk of these side effects is to take doxycycline with a glass of water, not on an empty stomach and to remain upright for 30 minutes to prevent reflux. It is important to avoid taking supplements or foods rich in calcium/magnesium/aluminum, e.g. dairy products, stomach remedies, fitness drinks, electrolytes, at the same time (within 4 hours), as it as it weakens the effectiveness of doxycycline. Doxycycline can also increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Wear sunscreen with SPF when using doxy. Antibiotics use is associated with a loss of some of the ‘good bacteria’ that make up the microbiome of the gut. There is no evidence yet linking DoxyPEP use to significant declines in healthy gut microbiome but. However, individuals using DoxyPEP should consider taking active steps to preserve their gut health by, for instance, taking pre- and probiotics. The use of DoxyPEP can lead to yeast infections due to the reduction of bacteria in and on our body. If you experience a yeast infection while using DoxyPEP, you can use over-the-counter anti-fungal remedies to help treat it.
When using doxy, it is important to maintain your regular sexual and reproductive health routine. This includes: (if applicable) taking your usual HIV medication ; following the recommended daily or event-based dosing of HIV PrEP; using condoms ; using your regular contraceptives; and getting tested for STIs every three to six months. Doxycycline does not interact with hormones taken. However, it should be borne in mind that vomiting or diarrhea may lead to reduced effectiveness, especially in the case of (emergency) contraception, which is then no longer effective. There are other medications that interact with doxycycline. Please check your medications for drug interactions before taking DoxyPEP. If you are or suspect you are pregnant, it is strongly advised to discontinue using DoxyPEP. Doxycycline used during pregnancy can affect the bone and tooth development of the foetus after the 4th pregnancy week. After taking a dose of DoxyPEP, avoid ingesting dairy, calcium, antacids (indigestion remedies) or multivitamins for 4 hours. These can reduce the absorption of doxycycline by the intestines which would reduce its effectiveness.