DoxyPEP Medication - Callen-Lorde

DoxyPEP Medication

Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, or doxyPEP, is a relatively new method of sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention that can help New Yorkers decrease their risk of STIs after sex. Callen-Lorde offers doxyPEP to new and existing patients.

How it works

DoxyPEP is like a morning after pill for STIs, best taken within 24 hours of having condomless sex. DoxyPEP can reduce your chance of getting syphilis and chlamydia by more than two-thirds and can possibly decrease gonorrhea infections. Here’s how to take it.

Taking the medication

  1. Take two 100-milligram pills of doxycycline within 24 hours or no later than 72 hours after condomless sex
  2. You can use the medication every day while having condomless sex, but do not take more than 200 milligrams, or one dose, every 24 hours
  3. Drink plenty of water with the medicine. Taking it with food might help prevent an upset stomach, but try to avoid dairy specifically
  4. Use sunscreen or cover exposed skin while outdoors, as some patients become more sensitive to the sun
  5. Avoid taking antacids, multivitamins or supplements that contain calcium, magnesium or iron two hours before or after taking doxycycline, as they may interrupt your body’s ability to absorb the antibiotic
  6. Remember that doxyPEP reduces, but does not eliminate, your risk of STIs. If you have symptoms or a known exposure, we recommend scheduling an appointment at Callen-Lorde. DoxyPEP is dosed for prevention. A dose of doxyPEP does not treat STIs.

What we’re still learning

DoxyPEP is a new way of fighting STIs and there are still questions about its use. Researchers are still unclear on how doxyPEP may affect the “good” bacteria in the intestines or on the skin, or if the bacteria that cause STIs will become resistant due to this medication– and therefore make them harder to treat.

We still need more research on how doxyPEP works for receptive vaginal sex in people assigned female at birth.

Going forward

It is recommended that sexually active New Yorkers continue to get tested for STIs regularly or whenever they have symptoms. DoxyPEP cannot prevent HIV, Mpox, HPV or other viral infections and doses should not be shared with others.