DoxyPep: The Morning-After Drug for STIs?

Gays, gurls, and theys, gather 'round because I've got some fabulous news for all my sex-positive gay men. It's time to talk about our continued quest to protect ourselves and our partners from HIV and STIs. Now, I've been on the PrEP train for a good six or seven years, starting with Truvada and now strutting my stuff with Descovy. But recently, I stumbled upon something intriguing called DoxyPEP, and, naturally, I dived into some serious research.

So, what's the deal with this DoxyPEP, you ask? Well, it's the abbreviation for Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. Think of it as a preventative treatment that works wonders in reducing the risk of certain STIs. Picture this: you've had a night of wild passion without a condom (hey, no judgment here), but fear not, because DoxyPEP swoops in to save the day. All you need to do is pop a 200mg pill of doxycycline, a fabulous type of tetracycline, as soon as possible, but definitely no later than three days after your condomless escapade.

Now, let's talk about the wonders of DoxyPEP. This little pill can prevent STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. It's like the morning-after pill, but instead of safeguarding against pregnancy, it's here to shield us from STIs. Can I get an "amen" for that?

Research shows that DoxyPEP is highly effective against chlamydia. Among those using PrEP, it boasts an impressive 88% effectiveness, and even in the cohort of people living with HIV, it still hits a commendable 74%. And listen closely, friends, because this is key—taking this antibiotic within 72 hours after condomless sex can slash the rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia by over 60% among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Feeling relieved? Well, here's more fabulous news: you can take DoxyPEP every single day if you so desire. But darlings, remember not to exceed 200mg within a 24-hour period. Let's keep it safe and fabulous, shall we?

Now, before you go rushing to your nearest pharmacy, let's talk about what the CDC has to say. They've given a permissive response to the DoxyPEP data presented thus far and are in the process of developing clinical guidance for us. However, it's important to note that DoxyPEP hasn't been shown to prevent bacterial STIs in cisgender women engaging in vaginal receptive sex, so it's not currently recommended for them.

But my loves, let's celebrate the progress we've made. The CDC's response was based on data presented at the 2022 International AIDS Conference, and let me tell you, the results were serving. DoxyPEP showcased significant effectiveness and tolerability against common STIs in our gay and bisexual men and transgender women with HIV or those on PrEP.

The cherry on top? The risk of acquiring an STI was slashed by a stunning 65% among all participants who took doxycycline PEP per quarter. The most frequently diagnosed STI among our participants was gonorrhea, followed closely by chlamydia and syphilis.

So, my friends, let's embrace the power of DoxyPEP. This tetracycline antibiotic is here to treat infections by stopping bacteria from growing and spreading. It's our modern-day superhero, fighting off STIs.