Prince Edward Island has updated its guidelines to include the recommendation of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis — better known as Doxy-PEP — to help prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Scott Alan, HIV and sexual health specialist with PEERS Alliance, described Doxy-PEP as “a bacterial infection prevention drug” that has been studied for about a decade.
Alan explained that Doxy-PEP can cut the risk of syphilis infection by up to three-quarters. For chlamydia, the rate jumps to about two-thirds, while the reduction rate for gonorrhea can be up to half.
“There’s been so much research and papers published on the efficacy and the ability of this drug to work,” they said. “It’s just an incredibly cost-effective option, as well.”
‘There’s been so much research and papers published on the efficacy and the ability of this drug,’ says Scott Alan, HIV and sexual health specialist with PEERS Alliance. (Submitted by Scott Alan)
Doxycycline is a common antibiotic that research shows can help reduce the chances of getting certain STIs if taken within 72 hours after high-risk sexual exposure.
Alan said a typical prescription for 40 tablets of Doxy-PEP can cost between $10 and $15, and is primarily for gay and bisexual men who have sex with men or transgender women “because they’re the most at-risk populations when it comes to sexual health.”
“It has an incredibly long shelf life. It can sit in your cupboards for years and still be good,” they said.
“Anybody can come to us and ask for assistance in helping to navigate our health-care systems, and we’re more than happy to help in those situations.”
Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.’s chief public health officer, said Islanders are eligible to receive Doxy-PEP if they’ve had high-risk exposure.
“P.E.I. has updated our gonorrhea and chlamydia guidelines and are updating our syphilis guidelines as well … to include the recommendation,” she said.
“That’s in line with the … broader recommendations that we’ve seen come into place over the last two or three years.”
P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison says doxycycline is a ‘very relatively inexpensive medication.’ (Aaron Adetuyi/CBC)
Alan said Doxy-PEP has become more popular in the last few years, and PEERS Alliance has been promoting it through events and workshops.
They noted that taking the drug, using a condom and using pre-exposure prophylaxis — also known as PrEP — to prevent HIV can be used in combination to stay safe.
“The more layers of protection that you can have, the safer you’re going to be, the more confident and comfortable you’re going to be in situations rather than someone who’s unprepared,” Alan said.
“This is a really great opportunity and reminder for people, especially with Pride coming up, to … get prepared for having a good time — and so you can show up your confident, comfortable self and ready for anything fun coming your way.”