Telehealth DoxyPEP · STI prevention Australia-wide
FREEwith Medicare (bulk-billed)
DoxyPEP consult by phone with a Specialist GP, anywhere in Australia. DoxyPEP is an antibiotic taken after condomless sex to lower the risk of bacterial STIs — the GP assesses suitability on the call and arranges it. Current Australian guidance applied. Same-day phone consults usually available, 7 days a week.
Book a telehealth consult — free with Medicare (bulk-billed)
A Specialist GP reviews your suitability and baseline tests
DoxyPEP — also written Doxy-PEP, and short for doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis — means taking a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline after sex to lower the chance of picking up certain bacterial sexually transmitted infections. It’s taken after a potential exposure (post-exposure), not daily, and it’s used specifically by people at higher risk of these STIs.
DoxyPEP is a relatively new and still-evolving prevention tool. The evidence for it is strongest in one group, its benefits vary by infection, and it comes with a genuine trade-off around antibiotic resistance — so it’s not something for everyone, and it’s used thoughtfully after a proper conversation with a clinician.
What DoxyPEP helps prevent
DoxyPEP reduces the risk of some bacterial STIs, but not equally:
Syphilis — this is the main benefit. Reducing syphilis is the primary reason DoxyPEP is considered, because syphilis carries more serious consequences than the others.
Chlamydia — DoxyPEP substantially reduces the risk of chlamydia too.
Gonorrhoea — the benefit here is smaller and less reliable, because gonorrhoea is often resistant to this antibiotic.
So DoxyPEP is best thought of as a tool aimed mainly at preventing syphilis, with a useful reduction in chlamydia and a more limited effect on gonorrhoea.
Who Is DoxyPEP For?
DoxyPEP is a targeted intervention, not a general one. Current Australian (Doxy-PEP) guidance supports considering it for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and transgender women, who are at increased risk of syphilis — for example, those who have:
Had a syphilis diagnosis in the past six to twelve months, or
Had two or more other STIs in a similar period, or
A planned period of heightened risk (for instance, a time of more frequent partners)
A clinician assesses whether DoxyPEP is appropriate for your individual situation. The reason it’s targeted rather than offered broadly is antibiotic resistance — using an antibiotic this way has a cost as well as a benefit, so it’s directed at those most likely to gain from it.
Is DoxyPEP for women?
The evidence for DoxyPEP is not the same across all groups. A clinical trial in cisgender women did not show the same benefit seen in men who have sex with men, so DoxyPEP is not currently recommended in the same way for cisgender women. This is an area of ongoing research, and recommendations may change as more evidence emerges. A clinician can explain the current position and what it means for you.
How to Take DoxyPEP
DoxyPEP is taken as a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline, ideally as soon as possible and within 72 hours after sex — the sooner the better. It’s not taken daily, and it’s not taken before sex. Some practical points a clinician will explain:
Take it with a full glass of water and stay upright for a while afterwards, to avoid irritating the throat or gullet.
Avoid taking multiple doses close together — if you have several encounters over a short period, a single dose covers that period rather than one per encounter.
Be aware it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so take sun precautions.
How effective is it?
In the group where it’s been best studied, DoxyPEP significantly reduces the risk of syphilis and chlamydia — by a large margin in clinical trials. Its effect on gonorrhoea is smaller and less consistent because of resistance. DoxyPEP is a risk-reduction tool, not a guarantee: it lowers the chance of these infections considerably but doesn’t remove it entirely, and it works best as part of a broader approach that includes regular testing and, where relevant, other prevention like PrEP and condoms.
Side effects
Doxycycline is a widely used antibiotic and is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are stomach upset or nausea, which taking the dose with food and water helps reduce, and increased sensitivity to sunlight, so sun protection is worthwhile. Taking it with plenty of water and staying upright afterwards helps avoid throat or gullet irritation. It’s not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for some people with particular conditions, which a clinician will check before recommending it.
Antibiotic Resistance, and What DoxyPEP Doesn’t Cover
Antibiotic resistance is the central issue with DoxyPEP, and the reason it’s used carefully. Taking an antibiotic regularly, even at low frequency, can encourage bacteria — including gonorrhoea and other bacteria in the body — to become more resistant over time. This is a genuine public health concern, and it’s why DoxyPEP is targeted at those most likely to benefit rather than offered to everyone. It’s also why DoxyPEP is prescribed and monitored by a clinician, not simply bought and used indefinitely — part of using it responsibly is ongoing STI testing (including tests that can monitor for resistance) and reviewing whether it’s still the right choice for you.
What DoxyPEP doesn’t cover
It’s important to be clear about DoxyPEP’s limits:
It doesn’t protect against HIV. For HIV prevention, PrEP (or PEP after an exposure) is what’s needed.
It doesn’t protect against viral STIs such as herpes or HPV.
It doesn’t replace regular STI testing. Ongoing screening remains essential, both to catch anything DoxyPEP doesn’t prevent and to monitor for resistance.
Its effect on gonorrhoea is limited, so it shouldn’t be relied on for that.
DoxyPEP works best as one part of a broader sexual health plan, not as a standalone solution.
DoxyPEP and PrEP, and How to Get It
DoxyPEP and PrEP are often used together, because they cover different things. PrEP prevents HIV; DoxyPEP reduces the risk of certain bacterial STIs. Many people who take PrEP and are at higher risk of syphilis consider DoxyPEP as well, and the two can be managed side by side through the same regular sexual health care. If you’re already on PrEP, it’s a natural time to discuss whether DoxyPEP is right for you.
How to get DoxyPEP
DoxyPEP is prescribed by a Specialist GP after an assessment of whether it’s appropriate for you. That conversation covers your risk, the benefits and the resistance trade-off, how to take it, and a plan for ongoing testing. Because the guidance is still developing, having a clinician involved means you get current, personalised advice rather than relying on an unregulated source. If you’d like to talk about whether DoxyPEP is right for you, it’s easy to book a consult in a few minutes. Care is confidential and judgement-free.
Frequently asked questions
DoxyPEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis) is a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline taken after sex to reduce the risk of certain bacterial STIs — mainly syphilis and chlamydia. It’s taken after a potential exposure rather than daily, and it’s used specifically by people at higher risk. It’s a relatively new, evolving prevention tool used carefully because of antibiotic resistance.
DoxyPEP mainly reduces the risk of syphilis, which is its primary purpose, and substantially reduces chlamydia. Its effect on gonorrhoea is smaller and less reliable because gonorrhoea is often resistant to this antibiotic. It does not protect against HIV or viral STIs like herpes and HPV. Think of it as aimed mainly at syphilis, with a useful chlamydia benefit.
DoxyPEP is targeted, not general. Current Australian guidance supports considering it for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and transgender women, at increased risk of syphilis — for example those with a syphilis diagnosis in the past 6 to 12 months, two or more other STIs in a similar period, or a planned period of heightened risk. A clinician assesses suitability individually.
DoxyPEP is a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline, taken as soon as possible and within 72 hours after sex — the sooner the better. It’s not taken daily or before sex. Take it with a full glass of water and stay upright afterwards, avoid multiple doses close together (one dose covers a short period), and be aware it can increase sun sensitivity.
In the group where it’s best studied, DoxyPEP significantly reduces the risk of syphilis and chlamydia — by a large margin in trials. Its effect on gonorrhoea is smaller and less consistent due to resistance. It’s a risk-reduction tool, not a guarantee: it lowers the chance of these infections considerably but works best alongside regular testing and other prevention.
Only to a limited extent. Gonorrhoea is frequently resistant to this antibiotic, so DoxyPEP’s benefit against it is smaller and less reliable than for syphilis and chlamydia. It shouldn’t be relied on for gonorrhoea prevention. This is also part of the resistance concern — one reason DoxyPEP use is monitored carefully with ongoing testing.
Antibiotic resistance is the central consideration with DoxyPEP. Taking an antibiotic regularly can encourage bacteria — including gonorrhoea and others in the body — to become more resistant over time. This is why DoxyPEP is targeted at those most likely to benefit, prescribed and monitored by a clinician, and paired with ongoing testing, rather than used broadly or indefinitely without oversight.
Not currently in the same way. A clinical trial in cisgender women did not show the same benefit seen in men who have sex with men, so DoxyPEP isn’t recommended for cisgender women as it is for that group. This is an area of ongoing research, and recommendations may change. A clinician can explain the current position for your situation.
No. DoxyPEP only reduces the risk of certain bacterial STIs. For HIV prevention you need PrEP (taken before and around exposure) or PEP (after a possible exposure, within 72 hours). Many people use DoxyPEP and PrEP together, since they cover different things — PrEP for HIV, DoxyPEP for some bacterial STIs. A clinician can help you combine them.
Yes, absolutely. DoxyPEP doesn’t prevent every STI, doesn’t reliably prevent gonorrhoea, and doesn’t cover viral infections. Ongoing regular STI testing remains essential — both to catch anything DoxyPEP doesn’t prevent and to monitor for antibiotic resistance. Regular testing is a core part of using DoxyPEP responsibly, not an optional extra.
Doxycycline is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are stomach upset or nausea, helped by taking it with food and water, and increased sun sensitivity, so use sun protection. Taking it with plenty of water and staying upright afterwards avoids throat irritation. It’s not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for some people, which a clinician checks first.
Yes, they’re often used together because they cover different things — PrEP prevents HIV, DoxyPEP reduces the risk of some bacterial STIs. Many people at higher risk take both, managed side by side through the same regular sexual health care. If you’re already on PrEP, it’s a natural time to discuss whether DoxyPEP is right for you too.
DoxyPEP is prescribed by a clinician after assessing whether it’s appropriate for you. That conversation covers your risk, the benefits and the resistance trade-off, how to take it, and a plan for ongoing testing. Because the guidance is still developing, having a clinician involved means current, personalised advice rather than relying on an unregulated source.
