Inside the "day after pill" for STDS.
Over the past few years, medical researchers have been looking into the effectiveness of using a popular acne treatment to lower the risk of contracting numerous sexually transmitted diseases. Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the tetracycline class used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites. It is used to treat bacterial pneumonia, acne, chlamydia infections, Lyme disease, cholera, typhus, and syphilis.
Similar to anti-viral medications used to prevent people from contracting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which is often called Prep short for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis, Doxy Pep is a form of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Although initial studies show a 60% efficacy rate, there's no telling when this treatment will be widely available. Men who have sex with men and transgendered women have been the focus of studies in Seattle and San Francisco. Even users of dating apps like Grindr and Jack'd have reported seeing profiles featuring the #doxyprep hashtag. This research has the potential to be a game changer in the world of public health but more studies are still needed to ensure its safety and efficacy.
Apart from the four diseases mentioned above, Doxy Pep is being tested in hopes to prevent HIV transmission as well. In the event of an exposure, it can be taken within 48 hours of the incident. It's a two-week course that includes taking medication every day for seven days, followed by a one-week break, then another seven-day treatment.
However, the cost of Doxy Pep can be quite expensive despite the generally low cost of production. The medication must be prescribed and its availability varies from state to state. Moreover, there are still questions that need to be explored in terms of long-term safety and efficacy.
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