PrEP And doxy-PEP: the New Condoms
Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP and the newly released doxy-PEP are dose medications that prevent the contracting and spread of STI’s, infections including HIV cases. Although it has been referred to as a “cure” for HIV, it is more accurately a preventative shield drug that prevents you from getting (or giving) sexually transmitted infections like HIV.
A reexamination of seroconversion studies suggests that condoms are 90 to 95% effective when used consistently, i.e. consistent condom users are 10 to 20 times less likely to become infected with an STI when exposed to a virus than are inconsistent or non-users. However PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by over 99% when taken as prescribed. Although there is less information about how effective PrEP pills are among people who inject drugs, we know that PrEP pills reduce the risk of getting HIV via injection significantly as well.
Today, there are two specific FDA-approved antiviral medications for PrEP. If taken regularly, they are very effective in preventing HIV cases.
Read on to learn more about PrEP medications and how they help lower the chances of contracting HIV.
What is "Doxy-PEP" (also known as STI-PEP)?
PEP refers to taking prescription antiretroviral medications after sex to reduce the chances of getting an STI or HIV. Doxy-PEP involves proactively taking the medication as prevention for sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) reducing the chances of contraction by over 99%.
Doxy-PEP medication is most effective when taken within 24 hours (and no greater than 72 hours) before sex to prevent getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI or STD).
Taking doxy-PEP has been found to lower the risk of chlamydia and gonorrhea and syphilis well over 99%.
How do you use doxy-PEP?
Doxy-PEP can be taken before or just after within 3 days of oral, anal, or insertive vaginal sex to add extra protection for the female or bottom male partner (top partners are statistically very unlikely to get an STI).
Doxycycline (100 mg) is prescribed as two pills taken in one dose.
You can take doxy-PEP medication as often as every day if there are daily exposures, but never more than once per day.
Take doxy-PEP with at least 8 oz. of water and remain standing for the next 30-60 minutes.
Responsible Use of Doxy-PEP
Clear MD+ is committed to improving the sexual health and general wellness of sexually active community members. We recognize research is ongoing to evaluate the known benefit of doxy-PEP in PrEP users in reducing STI rates including HIV, weighed against the known and yet-unknown effect of this intervention on bacterial resistance and the microbiome. The Doxy-PEP initiative involves careful prescribing, judicious refills, and consistent patient counseling. We are engaging with investigators to evaluate this initiative’s effectiveness in reducing incident STIs along with other implications.