U.S. health officials have put forth a recommendation suggesting the consideration of an antibiotic as a morning-after pill to prevent specific sexually transmitted diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently finalized their endorsement of utilizing doxycycline after unprotected sexual encounters to mitigate the risk of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis infections.
This move marks the introduction of the first new prevention measure against sexually transmitted infections in decades, as highlighted by CDC officials who stress the urgent need for innovation. Despite recent data indicating a plateau in chlamydia and gonorrhea cases in 2022, rates of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea have seen a persistent increase over the years, particularly among gay and bisexual men.
The new guideline specifically targets gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have experienced an STD within the past year and are at a heightened risk of recurrence. While studies have shown the effectiveness of doxycycline in this demographic, there is insufficient evidence to extend the recommendation to other populations, according to CDC officials.
Referred to as “doxy PEP” (doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis), the treatment entails a single dose prescription of 200 milligrams of doxycycline to be taken within three days of unprotected intercourse, the CDC specified.
Following the release of a draft version of the guidelines in October, modifications were made based on public feedback during a comment period. The revised guidelines now emphasize that the pills should be consumed only once within a 24-hour period and that doctors should revisit the treatment plan with patients every three to six months for reassessment.
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