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DoxyPEP is a specific type of treatment method used to help reduce the risk of certain STI infections.
This involves taking the antibiotic medication doxycycline used for Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Chlamydia treatments at a specific dosage. It’s taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex with someone that may be carrying one of these infections.
While doxycycline is used for STI treatments after infection, it’s important to remember that DoxyPEP treatments aren’t used the same way as full courses of doxycycline.
If you’d like to learn more about how doxycycline works for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis treatments, you can explore the product information here to learn more.
Doxycycline (also sometimes referred to as simply DoxyPEP for individual preventative treatments) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
It works against a wide range of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, which allows it to function for a wide range of uses, in addition to using doxycycline for STIs both preventatively and as a treatment.
Specifically, DoxyPEP works by inhibiting the necessary protein synthesis that these organisms need to multiply and take hold within our bodies. Therefore, it can not only help prevent infections before they happen, but it can help your body destroy these types of organisms that have already infected your system.
What is DoxyPEP used to treat?
Doxycycline itself has a wide range of uses outside of strictly STI prevention and management.
DoxyPEP treatments are used specifically to help reduce your risks of certain STI infections (i.e., Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis).
It’s used by having patients take 200 mg one time within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. This helps your body fight off any of these applicable infections to which you may have been exposed.
How long does DoxyPEP last after you take it?
Most people won’t experience any side effects of DoxyPEP treatments, and if they do happen to notice any, they may go away after your body adjusts to the medication.
It’s recommended that lots of fluids are taken with each dosage, as this can help reduce the risks of esophageal (throat) injury.
To avoid nausea and indigestion, avoiding rich, greasy, or spicy food can help reduce the risks of having these side effects while taking DoxyPEP; especially if you do eat a healthy meal or snack with the medication and drink milk with the dosage, instead of water.
DoxyPEP prescriptions aren’t recommended for children under the age of 8, as there haven’t been enough studies conducted to determine the potential safety of using treatments in children this young.
Additionally, women that are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t use doxycycline for STI prevention or management, as it can pass through to the unborn or nursing child and potentially cause negative side effects.
It shouldn’t be used by anyone who has an allergy or known hypersensitivity to tetracyclines, or in patients who have been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis.
What Should I Avoid While Taking DoxyPEP?
Some patients using doxycycline for STI prevention or management purposes have noticed an increased sensitivity to sunlight (including intensified sunburns), when exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. You should let your practitioner know immediately if you start to experience any signs of this condition, also known as skin erythema.
SIDE NOTE: We should note that photosensitivity is likely a very low risk if you’re only using 200 mg DoxyPEP prescriptions as needed.
There are a handful of different medications that should be avoided when using a DoxyPEP prescription, including:
- Antacids (containing aluminum, calcium and/or magnesium), unless instructed by your practitioner
- Anticoagulants
- Hepatic enzyme inducers
- Iron salts
- Penicillin
Be sure to let your practitioner know if you’re already using any of these other treatments, as they may want to suggest an alternative to DoxyPEP dosages.
Can DoxyPEP Cause Antibiotic Resistance?
Like all antibiotic medications, DoxyPEP and ongoing doxycycline use can contribute to antibiotic resistance when it’s not used appropriately or with the oversight of a practitioner.
This is why it’s important that if you’re going to regularly use DoxyPEP prescriptions as a preventative measure, you should ensure your healthcare team is aware of this, so they can provide essential guidance and direction.
How is DoxyPEP Different from Regular Doxycycline?
The biggest difference between DoxyPEP and regular doxycycline treatments is what they’re used for.
DoxyPEP is used as a preventative measure to help avoid being infected with STIs, while regular doxycycline treatments are used to treat existing STIs, as well as a number of other types of infections.
SIDE NOTE: It’s important to remember that while these medications are technically the same, it’s their course of treatments that vary, depending on what your practitioner is recommending for your unique needs.
Can Felix help me access discreet STI testing?
Yes, Felix also offers STI testing. Answer a few simple questions about your health and one of our healthcare practitioners will provide a lab requisition which you can complete at your local lab.
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