Position statement of the German STI Society on the prophylactic use of doxycycline to prevent STIs (Doxy-PEP, Doxy-PrEP)

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ricardo Niklas Werner - , Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Author)
  • Axel Jeremias Schmidt - , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Deutche AIDS-Hilfe e.V. (Author)
  • Anja Potthoff - , Ruhr University Bochum, WIR – Walk In Ruhr – Centre for Sexual Health and Medicine (Author)
  • Petra Spornraft-Ragaller - , Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Norbert Hermann Brockmeyer - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)

Abstract

Over the past two decades, there has been a rise in the incidence of syphilis, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). This has sparked interest in studying the prophylactic use of doxycycline to prevent syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), commonly referred to as Doxycycline Pre- or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (Doxy-PrEP, Doxy-PEP). At the same time, demand from potential users for this preventive measure is increasing. Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that the prophylactic use of doxycycline in MSM and trans women using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP) or living with an HIV infection effectively reduces the risk of syphilis and chlamydia infections. At present, however, unresolved questions remain, particularly regarding implications of a broad implementation of prophylactic doxycycline to prevent STIs on tetracycline and other antimicrobial resistance in bacterial STIs, non-STI-related bacterial pathogens, and the microbiome. In response to the increasing demand and the challenge of balancing effectiveness, safety, and the risk of promoting antibiotic resistance, the German STI Society (DSTIG) has issued a position statement, providing specific recommendations regarding potential indications, criteria, and occasions for the use of doxycycline in STI prevention. These recommendations are based on current evidence and expert opinion.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages13
JournalJournal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG
Volume22
Issue number3
Early online date20 Dec 2023
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 20 Dec 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85180204185

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals