The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers using doxycycline to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Officials say the post-exposure prophylaxis treatment, known as Doxy-PEP, could mark a turning point in the nation's fight against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Studies show that doxycycline can prevent bacterial infections from taking hold, if used soon after symptoms appear. It is an alternative to conventional antibiotics.
"We need groundbreaking innovations to turn around the epidemics of STDs, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis," said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of the National Center for HIV. "Doxy-PEP is the first new and important prevention intervention we've seen in decades."
According to CDC recommendations, a dose of Doxy-PEP consists of 200 mg of the antibiotic doxycycline immediately after unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex. The time of taking it is no more than 72 hours.
A bottle of the antibiotic doxycycline hyclate in Sacramento, California. Photo: AP
The drug is suitable for transgender people as well as heterosexual men and women. However, this may change if further studies are conducted in the future.
The CDC's draft guidance states that transgender women who do not have an STI but plan to engage in high-risk sexual practices should consider medication.
Clinical trials have shown that people taking doxy-PEP have a one-third lower risk of contracting gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis than those who do not. The drug also reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections by nearly 80%.
Potential risks of using doxy-PEP include drug resistance and effects on the microbiome. The drug can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight and users may experience gastrointestinal problems. Treatment may also cause other reactions that scientists have not yet fully understood.
Thuc Linh (According to Live Science )
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