STI prevention: Doxy-PEP
Our service
A dose of antibiotic after sex to reduce your risk of syphilis and chlamydia.
Who is this service for?
This service is for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), as well as trans women, aged 18 and over, who:
- use PrEP or are living with HIV and receiving treatment;
- and have had a bacterial STI in the past year, or have multiple partners.
In cisgender women, studies have not shown effectiveness. For trans men and people assigned female at birth, data are still lacking.
Not sure you meet these criteria? Write or call us before booking.
How does it work?
- You book an appointment. On Clic Santé, look for "Doxy-PEP" in the list of services.
- We assess your situation: your practices, your STI history and your most recent tests.
- We complete your baseline tests if needed. If your last screening was more than 4 months ago, STBBI screening and a blood test will be planned.
- We decide together. We discuss the benefits, limits and possible side effects, so you can make an informed decision.
- You receive your medication, delivered free of charge, with a detailed user guide. Follow-up happens on the same schedule as PrEP, with screening every 3 months.
Does it work?
In studies, infections decreased by approximately:
- Chlamydia: 74 to 88%
- Syphilis: 77 to 87%
- Gonorrhea: 33 to 57% (weaker effect)
DoxyPEP (2023) and DOXYVAC (2024) studies, conducted among MSM and trans women.
When to take it?
A single dose, after sex, as soon as possible: ideally within 24 hours, and no later than 72 hours. It is not a daily treatment. Dosing details are explained during your consultation and in your guide.
What Doxy-PEP does not do
Doxy-PEP does not protect against HIV, mpox, HPV, herpes or hepatitis. For HIV, there is PrEP. Condoms and vaccination round out your protection.
Since it is not 100% effective, it does not replace regular screening.
An informed decision.
Our team is here to answer your questions and support you in a prevention approach adapted to your reality.
Protecting yourself also means protecting your partners.
Book an appointment today on Clic Santé – search for “Doxy-PEP” in the list of services.
Des Questions?
To see Doxy-PEP as a simple "add-on" to PrEP is to only see part of the picture.
In reality, their combination represents a much more complete and proactive approach to sexual health, with a dual impact: for you, and for the community.
A dual mission: protecting yourself and protecting others
- For you: Using Doxy-PEP in addition to PrEP means regaining control and significantly reducing the burden of bacterial STIs, which can be a source of stress, repeated treatments, and discomfort.
- For the community: It is also a public health gesture. By treating potential infections at the source, you help reduce the total number of active infections in the population and curb the rise in STI rates.
PrEP: the foundation of HIV prevention
It is essential to understand that Doxy-PEP never replaces PrEP. If your sexual practices warrant the use of Doxy-PEP, it means a risk of HIV exposure exists. For an HIV-negative person, PrEP must therefore absolutely be part of the overall prevention strategy.
Who is this combined approach for?
A health strategy must be based on solid scientific evidence. Currently, the clinical studies that have demonstrated the greatest benefits of Doxy-PEP have done so within a specific group.
This approach is therefore discussed on a case-by-case basis and is primarily intended for gay men, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). It is in this group that studies have proven that Doxy-PEP can very significantly reduce recurring bacterial infections.
This includes MSM who are:
- Either PrEP users to prevent HIV.
- Or people living with HIV (PLWHIV) on effective treatment (undetectable viral load, U=U).
Yes, it is still recommended and is even more important.
Screening every 3 months allows you to:
- Ensure the strategy is working well for you, as Doxy-PEP is not 100% effective.
- Quickly screen for infections not covered by Doxy-PEP (like certain strains of gonorrhea and HIV).
- Monitor your overall sexual health.
Doxy-PEP is a tool, not an exemption from follow-up.
No, absolutely not. Doxy-PEP protects only against certain bacterial STIs (primarily syphilis and chlamydia) and has no effect on HIV, herpes, HPV (genital warts), or hepatitis. Condoms remain the only method that offers broad-spectrum protection against most STIs.
No. A dose of Doxy-PEP is not enough to treat an infection. If you have discharge, burning, a sore or a rash, get tested and contact us.
No. If you are followed elsewhere for PrEP or HIV, simply bring your most recent test results. We do, however, recommend keeping your follow-ups in one place: your screening and renewals can then be handled in a single step. Not on PrEP yet? We offer it too through toutPrEP.
Doxy-PEP reduces the risk without eliminating it, and it does not work on all STIs. An infection can go unnoticed: screening makes it possible to detect and treat it early.
It is possible, as with any antibiotic, and the question is being actively studied. That is why Doxy-PEP is reserved for the people who benefit most from it, and why we reassess your need at every follow-up.
Content reviewed in October 2026. Sources: interim guidance from the Quebec Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux on Doxy-PEP (March 2025); DoxyPEP (2023) and DOXYVAC (2024) studies.
The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only, is not exhaustive and may change as knowledge evolves. It does not replace an individualized assessment by a health professional.
