DoxyPEP

Your Morning-After Pill to Prevent STIs

Protection against chlamydia and syphilis*

One dose covers the previous 3 days of sex

Talk to your GP!

Protection against chlamydia and syphilis*

One dose covers the previous 3 days of sex

Talk to your GP!

What is DoxyPEP?

It’s the use of the antibiotic doxycycline after oral, anal or vaginal sex to prevent getting chlamydia and syphilis. It is like a morning-after pill but for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It does not replace PrEP as it doesn’t work for HIV prevention.

How Can I Get It?

Ask your primary care provider about DoxyPEP. The NZ Sexual Health Society released a DoxyPEP Statement supporting the use of DoxyPEP in the prevention of STIs. Feel free to show this to your GP! DoxyPEP is currently 'off label' and at the discretion of the prescribing provider.

How Should I Take It?

Take 2x100mg doxy tablets up to 72 hours (ideally within 24) after sex (oral, anal or vaginal sex)
A Monday dose will cover all your weekend action!
Or take it every 72 hours for ongoing protection - Do not exceed a maximum dose of 200 mg every 24 hours

Who Can Take It?

Current research has only studied the efficacy of DoxyPEP for cis gay and bisexual men and transgender women. People with vaginas are pending data. All cis men who have sex with men and trans women can benefit from DoxyPEP as you can still get STIs even with condom use.

Any Precautions?

Take doxy on a full stomach with a full glass of water
Avoid lying down for 1 hour after taking doxycycline to prevent esophagitis.
Wear sunscreen, some people get more sun-sensitive when on doxy
Avoid dairy products, supplements with calcium, iron, magnesium, antacids, and multivitamins 2 hours before and after taking doxy
No clinically relevant interactions between doxycycline and gender-affirming hormonal therapy are likely
You should continue to get STI checkups every 3-6 months while on DoxyPEP in case you catch an STI as it’s not 100%

What Are We Still Learning About DoxyPEP?

There are some questions around DoxyPEP and how this will effect drug resistance. There is no drug resistance to doxycycline within Chlamydia and Syphilis but there is some resistance within Gonorrhoea.

*Research presented at CROI 2024 confirmed DoxyPEP's efficacy against chlamydia and syphilis in HIV-negative men was 88% and 87%, respectively (in HIV-positive men it was a bit lower), but against gonorrhoea it was only 55% effective.

Useful Info & Links

In the USA, where the use of DoxyPEP has become fairly common among sexually active MSM, the CDC have published clinical guidelines on the use of DoxyPEP for STI Prevention.