Protection through Doxy-PEP/PrEP

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The extent to which the preventive use of the antibiotic doxycycline to protect against syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be useful is currently being discussed. This Kind of the prophylaxis, depending on Kind This is known as "Doxy-PEP" or "Doxy-PrEP". Some people at high risk are already practising it.

Doxycycline can actually reduce the likelihood of transmission of syphilis and chlamydia in some people. However, it is not effective against gonorrhoea in Europe because the pathogen has already developed resistance to this medication.

Important: Anyone thinking about taking doxycycline as a preventive measure should be well informed and seek medical advice.

Detailed information on Doxy-PEP/PrEP

Doxy-PEP & Doxy-PrEP: Protection against sexually transmitted diseases through Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is an antibiotic. It can be used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) be used. For this purpose, it is mainly used by people with high risk, for example with frequently changing sexual partners.

Effectiveness

Important: Doxycycline does not protect against 100 %, not against all infections and not the same for all people.

It works relatively well against syphilis and chlamydia. Against gonorrhoea (gonorrhoea), on the other hand, it is not effective in Europe. The pathogens are already "resistant" (insensitive) to the drug. Against others It is not effective against sexually transmitted diseases anyway.


Restriction: The documented protective effects originate from studies with gay and bisexual men and some trans Women. It people who were taking PrEP or living with HIV were frequently changing partner and had a very high risk.


In a study with cis Women However, no protective effect of the doxycycline prophylaxis. Other groups are still missing Data.

Ingestion

There are two forms of preventive intake: With the "Doxy-PEP" 200mg doxycycline is administered shortly after sexual contact with risk of transmission (within 24 hours). If it contact with the pathogens mentioned, they cannot become established in the body.

One Doxy-PrEP is a permanent daily intake. Here the body with antibiotics on a permanent basis, which can have serious Side effects can have. This form of ingestion is not yet well researched. The German STI Society is expressly in favour of on the other hand.

Risks and Side effects

Antibiotics have a strong effect on the human body. They for example, can damage the intestinal microbiome and lead to increased sensitivity to light. There is also a risk of Resistance formation. The drug is then no longer effective against these pathogens, not even as a therapy. Prolonged use of doxycycline leads to to weight gain, has a number of interactions with other medication, increases the risk of sunburn and, in the case of pregnant women the unborn child.

You should know that:

  • Antibiotic STI prophylaxis can for some people the reduce the risk of infection with chlamydia and syphilis, protects but not completely! It is therefore important to regularly Test especially for syphilis, which often goes unnoticed.
  • Doxycycline does not replace the Protection against HIV (z. B. through condoms, HIV-PrEP or protection through HIV therapy).
  • Doxycycline also does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections. Infections such as gonorrhoea, herpes, Genital warts or Mpox.
  • Doxycycline should only be taken after medical consultation to clarify the extent to which it makes sense and to decide on possible Side effects to be informed.
  • A prescription is issued "off-label", i.e. outside the Authorisation: Users must have the Bear the costs yourself.
  • No other antibiotics for protection against sexually transmitted Apply infections - these Kind of the application is not yet researched