{"id":14170,"date":"2025-06-19T12:15:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T10:15:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/?p=14170"},"modified":"2026-03-27T14:11:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T13:11:40","slug":"doxy-pep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/doxy-pep\/","title":{"rendered":"Doxy-PEP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list anchormenu\">\n<li><a href=\"#was\">What is Doxy-PEP?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#beispiel\">Examples<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#richtige\">Is Doxy-PEP right for me?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#wo\">Where do I get Doxy-PEP?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#wie\">How should I take Doxy-PEP?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"was\">What is Doxy-PEP?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>PEP stands for &#8220;post-exposure prophylaxis,&#8221; which means taking preventative medication shortly after risk contact.<\/strong> Some queer people take the antibiotic <strong>Doxycycline <\/strong>after high-risk sexual activity in order to reduce the chances of STI infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies have shown that<strong> this mostly works against <a href=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/syphilis\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7114\">syphilis <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/chlamydia\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7141\">chlamydia <\/a><\/strong>(if taken correctly in time). In San Francisco, the overall prevalence of these infections has decreased after about 20% of the community there started using Doxy-PEP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there are also potential disadvantages and unanswered questions that have not yet been sufficiently researched. There is currently controversy surrounding the circumstances under which Doxy-PEP makes sense to take (e.g., after what type of risk, how often it should be taken, etc.). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doxy-PEP is not effective against viral STIs, such as HPV, HIV, or herpes. Doxy-PEP is almost completely ineffective against <a href=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/gonorrhea\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7137\">gonorrhea<\/a>, as these infections are usually already resistant to doxycycline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies have shown an effectiveness against syphilis and chlamydia, but only in MSM and trans women who take PrEP or are living with HIV. Studies have not shown an effectiveness for cis women. There has not yet been a study about Doxy-PEP for cis and trans MSM who do not take PrEP and do not live with HIV, or for cis and trans men who do not have sex with men.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"beispiel\">Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 cb-carousel-block\" data-cb-slides-per-view=\"1\" data-cb-slides-per-group=\"1\" data-cb-space-between=\"50\" data-cb-speed=\"300\" data-cb-navigation=\"true\" data-cb-pagination=\"true\" data-cb-breakpoints=\"{&quot;768&quot;:{&quot;slidesPerView&quot;:2,&quot;slidesPerGroup&quot;:2}}\"><div class=\"swiper\"><div class=\"cb-wrapper swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"921\" src=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_2.png?_t=1774616414\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14700\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.5428907362722802;width:auto;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_2.png 500w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_2-163x300.png 163w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_2-41x75.png 41w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_2-480x884.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width:767px) 480px, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Freddy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Freddy is in a mostly monogamous partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, approximately once per year, he goes to a large gay sex party. He takes PrEP on an as-needed basis and then a dose of Doxy-PEP to minimize the chance that the experience could have unpleasant consequences for him and his partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He isn&#8217;t worried about taking antibiotics for this purpose, since it happens so infrequently.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"583\" src=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_1.png?_t=1774616429\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14697\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.857630486083685;object-fit:cover;width:auto;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_1.png 500w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_1-257x300.png 257w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_1-64x75.png 64w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_1-480x560.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width:767px) 480px, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lee is on PrEP and has already had syphilis multiple times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lee takes Doxy-PEP a few times per year after group sex or cruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Lee, the feeling of safety and security is essential in order to be able to let go in these situations. After all the stress, Lee simply wants to have sex without fear. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"785\" src=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14702\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.857630486083685;object-fit:contain;width:auto;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_3.png 500w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_3-191x300.png 191w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_3-48x75.png 48w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_3-480x754.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width:767px) 480px, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rico<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rico has multiple changing partners. He protects himself against HIV with PrEP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He is not worried about bacterial STIs. When he had chlamydia, he didn&#8217;t notice any symptoms. It wasn&#8217;t so bad. Gonnorhea, however, was painful \u2013 but he knows that Doxy-PEP doesn\u2019t protect against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s enough for him to take a test every three months as a part of his PrEP &#8211; and if he ever has symptoms, he goes straight to the doctor anyway. He sees no reason to regularly take preventative antibiotics, especially since they kill good kinds of bacteria as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"772\" src=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14704\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.857630486083685;object-fit:contain;width:auto;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_4.png 500w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_4-194x300.png 194w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_4-49x75.png 49w, https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/wp-content\/uploads\/doxy_4-480x741.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width:767px) 480px, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cherry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cherry is a trans sex worker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She takes DoxyPEP because frequent chlamydia infections limit her earning potential, and she has regular clients who would react negatively to an STI notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it&#8217;s not clear how high the risk of transmission is for asymptomatic infections, there is a societal stigma around all things that are sexually transmitted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"cb-pagination swiper-pagination\"><\/div><div class=\"cb-button-prev swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"cb-button-next swiper-button-next\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"richtige\">Is Doxy-PEP right for me?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dstig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Position-statement_DSTIG_Doxy-PEP_english-version.pdf\">According to the experts from the German Society for STIs <strong>(DSTIG)<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong>Doxy-PEP could be relevant if the following criteria are met:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You are a <strong>man who has sex with men<\/strong>, or a <strong>trans woman<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You take <strong>PrEP <\/strong>or you are <strong>HIV-positive<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You regularly have a high risk of <strong>syphilis <\/strong>or <strong>chlamydia <\/strong>infections, for example:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You recently had a syphilis infection that reoccurred after treatment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the last 6 months, you had chlamydia or gonorrhea multiple times and were symptomatic<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the last 6 months, you had sex with at least 10 male partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have regular chemsex and\/or group sex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Other considerations could be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How often and in what situations would you take Doxy-PEP?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How often are you in particularly high-risk situations?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you suffer from a fear of syphilis or chlamydia?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you find it very stressful to get tested, and if necessary, get treated and inform your partners?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you use Doxy-PEP for prevention in the coming year, would you be likely to use more or fewer antibiotics than you took last year as part of syphilis and chlamydia treatments? <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>After taking Doxy-PEP, side effects such as allergic reactions or photosensitivity of the skin may occur. Nausea, bloating, and diarrhea may also occur. Your gastrointestinal microbiome is also disrupted by Doxy-PEP &#8211; the extent and consequences are currently unclear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether Doxy-PEP makes sense for you &#8211; i.e. whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks &#8211; depends on how you assess all these aspects for yourself.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wo\">Where do I get Doxy-PEP?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Doxycycline is prescription-only. Because the medication is not (yet) officially approved for use as a PEP, you usually need a private prescription. The cost of a dose is around 1,20\u20ac. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are online services that offer Doxy-PEP through a subscription by post, without having to visit a doctor. However, they charge much higher costs &#8211; for example, 25\u20ac\/month for 2 pills, which is about 10x as expensive as the pharmacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>We recommend that you make your decision after a personal consultation together with competent doctors<\/strong><strong> &#8211; in an HIV specialist praxis,<\/strong><strong> for example.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wie\">How should I take Doxy-PEP?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Discuss the use of Doxy-PEP with your doctor. Take Doxy-PEP after high-risk contact. It doesn&#8217;t have to be every time you have sex: the more likely an infection with syphilis or chlamydia could occur, the more sense it makes to take Doxy-PEP afterwards. There must be at least 24 hours between two doses.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dstig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Stellungnahme_STI-Prophylaxe.pdf\">Statement of the German STI Society (06\/2023)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>San Francisco: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cidrap.umn.edu\/sexually-transmitted-infections\/real-world-studies-boost-case-doxypep-prevent-sexually-transmitted\">Real-world studies boost case for doxyPEP to prevent sexually transmitted diseases<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/profis.aidshilfe.de\/hiv-report\/praevention-von-geschlechtskrankheiten-durch-antibiotika\/\">Deutsche Aidshilfe: Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases through antibiotics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Studies: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/laninf\/article\/PIIS1473-3099(17)30725-9\/fulltext\">IPERGAY \/ France<\/a> , <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nejm.org\/doi\/full\/10.1056\/NEJMoa2304007\">DoxyPEP \/ Kenya MSW<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nejm.org\/doi\/full\/10.1056\/NEJMoa2211934\">DoxyPEP \/ USA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/laninf\/article\/PIIS1473-3099(24)00236-6\/abstract\">DoxyVac \/ France<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/taz.de\/Schutz-vor-Geschlechtskrankheiten\/!6020640\/\">taz.de: Free love on prescription<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"beratung\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some queer people take the antibiotic doxycycline after sex with a high risk of STI transmission to reduce the likelihood of certain infections. Is it always useful?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":14689,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1081,151],"tags":[182,1205,1203,1204,226,1206],"class_list":["post-14170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-sex-en-2","tag-chlamydia","tag-doxy-en","tag-doxy-pep-en","tag-doxycycline","tag-gonorrhoe-en","tag-syphilis-en-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14170"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14730,"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14170\/revisions\/14730"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}