Prevent STIs with Doxy-PEP
About our service
An antibiotic taken after sexual intercourse can reduce your chances of contracting syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
What is Doxy-PEP?
Doxy-PEP (for doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis) is an innovative approach to sexual health that involves taking an antibiotic tablet (doxycycline) after certain at-risk sexual encounters to reduce the risk of contracting certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Studies show that in certain populations, Doxy-PEP can significantly reduce the incidence of syphilis and chlamydia, and possibly gonorrhea.
Is Doxy-PEP right for me?
This treatment may be considered if you are:
- A man who has sex with men (MSM), or a transgender woman.
- You have had an STI or multiple partners, or wish to reduce your overall risk of contracting and transmitting STIs.
- You are already using PrEP or are receiving treatment for HIV and are undetectable.
Our professionals will help you determine if this preventive treatment is suitable for your situation.
How does it work?
Doxy-PEP should be taken within 72 hours of a risky sexual encounter (without a condom or with a condom break, with a partner whose STI status is unknown, etc.).
- Typical dosage: 200 mg (2 tablets of 100 mg) to be taken in a single dose, as soon as possible after exposure.
- Recommended maximum: Once per 24 hours, and ideally maximum of 3 times per week.
- Not to be confused with continuous antibiotic treatment – it is not taken daily.
Is it safe?
Doxycycline is a well-known antibiotic that has been used for decades. However:
- It can cause digestive side effects or photosensitivity (be careful in the sun).
- Self-medication or prolonged use without medical supervision should be avoided due to potential risks of bacterial resistance.
At our Tou+PrEP clinic, each prescription is personalized and evaluated with you to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks. Make an appointment to get all the relevant information to help you make an informed decision before starting treatment.
How effective is it?
Doxy-PEP has shown impressive effectiveness in several recent clinical studies, conducted mainly among gay and bisexual men and some transgender people.
- It can reduce the risk of contracting chlamydia by 70% to 80%.
- It can reduce the risk of syphilis by 70% to 89%.
- It offers partial protection against gonorrhea, with effectiveness varying from 0% to 55% depending on the region (due to varying antibiotic resistance).
These figures show that Doxy-PEP can be a very useful option for people with frequent exposure to STIs, in addition to other prevention measures such as regular screening, PrEP for HIV, or condom use.
The effectiveness of Doxy-PEP has not been demonstrated in comparable studies in cisgender women and transgender men (or anyone assigned female at birth), and it is therefore not recommended for these populations at this time.
What We Offer
Our preventive sexual health clinic, Tou+PrEP, allows you to access Doxy-PEP in a confidential, inclusive, and accessible environment, with:
- Free consultation with a pharmacist or nurse.
- Individualized follow-up based on your sexual habits and STI history.
- Prescription and renewals, if appropriate.
- Coordination with other services (PrEP, screening, STI treatment).
This service is offered on-site at the pharmacy or via teleconsultation, depending on your location or preference.
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.
C'est une question de résistance. Au fil des ans, de nombreuses souches de la bactérie de la gonorrhée ont évolué et sont devenues résistantes à l'action de la doxycycline. Le médicament n'est donc plus aussi efficace pour l'éliminer. C'est pourquoi la Doxy-PEP reste un excellent outil pour la syphilis et la chlamydia, mais une protection seulement partielle pour la gonorrhée.
