Wellness Bar by Legacy is committed to providing you with every available tool to help protect your sexual health and wellness. That now includes DoxyPEP! Read along to learn more.
What is DoxyPEP?
DoxyPEP, or Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, is an antibiotic treatment that may help protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) after unprotected sex, reducing your risk of infection by about 66%. It may be a good option to consider if you’ve had one or more bacterial STIs within the last 12 months.
When should I take DoxyPEP?
DoxyPEP is 200 mg (two 100 mg pills) of doxycycline which is taken within 24-72 hours, after unprotected sex. Unprotected sex means anal, oral, or vaginal sex where a condom is not used for the entire time—even if for just a short time.
What about when I have sex again?
If you have sex again within 24 hours of taking doxycycline, take another dose 24 hours after your last dose. You can take doxycycline as often as every day when you are having condomless sex but do not take more than 200 mg in 24 hours.
How should I take DoxyPEP?
Take doxycycline with plenty of water, and if you get an upset stomach, take it with food.
- Doxycycline may make you more sensitive to the sun, so wear plenty of sunscreen.
- Do not share your doxycycline with others.
- Avoid dairy products, calcium, antacids, or multivitamins 2 hours before and after taking doxycycline. This may prevent the medication from working.
- Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours after taking doxycycline. This may prevent the medication from working.
DoxyPEP only works on bacteria and doesn’t protect against viral infections such as Hep C, HIV, Monkeypox, and others. It’s important to get tested for STIs every 3 months and whenever you have symptoms. Having an active STI can make you more susceptible to HIV. And if you are living with HIV, continue to take your medications and see your provider regularly.
