Doxycycline prophylaxis for the prevention of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Abstract
Key take-home messages
- Five studies from high-income settings have examined doxycycline as bacterial STI prophylaxis among men who have sex with men: two have been published in the peer-reviewed literature, and three have been included in conference abstracts.
- While results from these five studies show that doxycycline appears to reduce the incidence of bacterial STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis), investigators and the broader scientific community have also voiced concerns regarding the potential for antimicrobial resistance.
- Three other trials examining the efficacy of doxycycline as STI prophylaxis are currently underway: two in Canada, and one in Australia.
- There appears to be a general interest in using STI prophylaxis among men who have sex with men.
- Limited data from a few small studies indicate that about 2–10% of men who have sex with men are self-prescribing doxycycline for STI prophylaxis.
Authors
The Ontario HIV Treatment Network: Rapid Response Service
Year
2023
Topics
- Population(s)
- General HIV- population
- Prevention, Engagement and Care Cascade
- Prevention
- Prevention
- Biomedical interventions
- Co-infections
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
