- New CDC guidance advises taking a common antibiotic within 72 hours after unprotected sexual activity to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- The new recommendations serve as a call to action for healthcare professionals to counsel groups most at risk for contracting STIs.
- Experts say more prevention and treatment options for STIs are needed, particularly among the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new recommendation for a common antibiotic, doxycycline, to help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The clinical guidelines, released on June 6, advise healthcare professionals to counsel LGBTQIA+ individuals who have had at least one case of syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea within the past year.
Also referred to as the doxy PEP regime, the CDC recommends that one 200-milligram dose of doxycycline be taken within 72 hours after oral, vaginal, or anal sex without a condom or other barrier method. The guidelines also discuss the benefits and potential side effects of taking this antibiotic.
“We have known for a long time that doxy PEP has the potential to lessen someone’s chances of contracting syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia [when] taken within 72 hours of having sex,” said Jillian LoPiano, MD, an OB-GYN in San Antonio, TX, and chief health officer at Wisp, an online pharmacy.
“The CDC now reporting this further proves this and will hopefully encourage even more folks to take the antibiotic if needed and properly prescribed,” LoPiano told Healthline.
Doxy PEP for STI prevention
Doxy PEP, or doxycycline, is a common antibiotic for postexposure prophylaxis.
“Doxy PEP is an evidence-based intervention to prevent bacterial sexually transmitted infections,” Jason Zucker, MD, assistant professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, told Healthline.
“It has the potential to reverse years of increasing STI rates and improve the sexual health of individuals,” he noted.
One of the main benefits of this medication is that it’s effective against multiple STIs, especially when prescribed at a concentrated dose and taken shortly after unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex.
“[Doxycycline] combats many different bacteria and is our primary treatment for chlamydia, an alternative treatment for syphilis, and has some activity against gonorrhea,” Zucker said.
“Postexposure prophylaxis means that you take it after a potential exposure to an STI, ideally within 24 hours but up to 72 hours, and it helps prevent the infection from occurring. In three different clinical trials, it has been shown to be effective in preventing STIs in men who have sex with men and transgender women,” he added.
Doxy PEP helps prevent bacterial STIs by fighting the infection prior to symptom onset or before the infection is passed on to another person.
Research shows that doxy PEP reduces the risk of gonorrhea by 55% and chlamydia and syphilis by 88% and 87%, respectively.
Common side effects of doxycycline
Overall, the risks and side effects of taking doxycycline are minimal. Still, Zucker noted there are several side effects to consider:
- The medication should be taken with water and people should remain upright for 30 minutes after ingestion to avoid stomach discomfort and irritation of the esophagus.
- People who take doxycycline may have photosensitivity (sun sensitivity) and should wear sunscreen to prevent sunburns.
- Like any antibiotic, doxycycline can cause people to develop antimicrobial resistance or resistant bacteria. Doxycycline exposure could deplete healthy microbes in the gut, which may need to be restored through diet and nutrition.
“Using doxycycline regularly like this is new, and we will likely learn more as we use it more,” Zucker said.
Jon McGarry, MD, an emergency medicine physician in Dallas, TX, and medical director at MISTR, an online pharmacy for PrEP, said in rare cases, an allergic reaction or rash may occur from doxycycline.
“People who are allergic to doxycycline, tetracycline or taking [certain] acne medications should not take Doxy PEP,” McGarry told Healthline.
Who should take doxy PEP?
Experts note that new treatment and prevention methods for STIs are needed more than ever.
“Given there is an increase in sexually transmitted infections, we need new strategies to help prevent infections,” Tessa Madden, MD, MPH, professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine, told Healthline.
She said that anyone who’s at an increased risk for a bacterial STI may consider talking with their doctor about using doxycycline.
McGarry noted that LGBTQIA+ individuals, in particular, will “benefit immensely” from the CDC’s new guidance on doxy PEP.
“Despite the ongoing STI epidemic affecting the LGBTQ+ community, there are few resources available to his underserved, vulnerable community,” he said.
Takeaway
The CDC issued new guidelines recommending the use of doxycycline within 72 hours after sex without a condom or other barrier method to help prevent the spread of STIs.
Healthcare professionals are advised to educate high risk groups on taking this medication after unprotected intercourse.
Experts say more treatment and prevention options are needed to help protect the LGBTQIA+ community from STIs, and the CDC’s new doxy PEP recommendation is a positive step forward.
CDC Recommends Antibiotic for Use as 'Morning After Pill' to Protect Against STIs
Source: Pinoy Lang Sakalam
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