(917) 310-3371
CDC-recommended discussion group
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women with syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea diagnosed in the past 12 months should be counseled about benefits and harms.
Doxy-PEP does not prevent HIV
A visit should also address HIV testing, PrEP or emergency PEP, vaccines, exposure-site STI testing, and treatment for any infection found.
Who should discuss doxy-PEP with a clinician
The visit confirms that the prevention strategy matches current evidence, your health history, and the infections or exposures that concern you.
Shared decision beyond the core group
A clinician may discuss individual circumstances, but CDC states that evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation for cisgender women, cisgender heterosexual men, transgender men, and other queer or nonbinary people.
Medication and pregnancy review
Bring allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding information, and every prescription, supplement, antacid, and over-the-counter medicine. Doxycycline is not appropriate for everyone.
Prevention plan, not a stand-alone pill
Baseline testing, testing at the anatomic sites of exposure, HIV prevention or treatment, vaccines, and regular follow-up remain part of care.
What happens from the first visit through follow-up
The prescription should be connected to a clear dosing plan and a way to monitor infections, side effects, interactions, and continued need.
1. Review recent infections and exposures
Discuss STI diagnoses from the prior year, types and timing of sexual exposure, symptoms, HIV status, PrEP or PEP use, pregnancy considerations, and current medicines.
2. Test the sites that were exposed
The clinician may use blood, urine, vaginal, throat, or rectal samples based on anatomy, sexual practices, symptoms, and prior results. Testing should not be limited to urine when other sites were exposed.
3. Agree on exact dosing instructions
CDC recommends 200 mg as soon as possible within 72 hours after oral, vaginal, or anal sex, with no more than 200 mg in 24 hours. Follow the individual prescription rather than estimating extra doses.
4. Reduce avoidable side effects
Take the prescribed dose on a full stomach with a full glass of liquid and do not lie down for one hour. Separate it by at least two hours from dairy, antacids, and supplements containing calcium, iron, magnesium, or sodium bicarbonate.
5. Return every 3 to 6 months
Repeat gonorrhea and chlamydia testing at exposure sites, syphilis testing, HIV testing when indicated, side-effect review, and a discussion of whether doxy-PEP still fits your needs.
Limits and safety points to understand
Doxy-PEP lowers risk; it does not guarantee prevention and does not treat every possible infection or replace a diagnosis.
Common problems
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sun sensitivity, and irritation or injury to the esophagus can occur. Taking it correctly lowers some avoidable esophageal irritation.
Resistance and the microbiome
CDC notes uncertainty about long-term effects on antimicrobial resistance and the microbiome. Continued use should be reassessed instead of becoming automatic.
Interactions
Antacids, dairy, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium bicarbonate, anticoagulants, some seizure medicines, and other drugs can affect safety or absorption. A clinician should review the complete list.
Symptoms still need testing
Discharge, sores, rash, pelvic pain, testicular pain, fever, or a partner's diagnosis can require prompt evaluation even if a doxy-PEP dose was taken.
Do not use doxy-PEP as emergency HIV PEP
If a possible HIV exposure happened within the last 72 hours, seek HIV PEP immediately. Use the urgent HIV PEP pathway or call the NYC 24/7 PEP Hotline at 844-373-7692. Doxycycline does not prevent HIV.
Visit, laboratory, and prescription costs may be separate
Coverage depends on the visit, the tests ordered, the prescription benefit, and the pharmacy. Ask what is billed for the evaluation, exposure-site tests, repeat testing, and medication before the plan is finalized.
If cost or privacy is a barrier, ask about lower-cost public options and how insurance communications may appear. NYC Sexual Health Clinics provide low- to no-cost services for eligible sexual-health needs.
What to bring
Complete records reduce delays, duplicate testing, and avoidable medication errors.
- Bring the dates and names of any syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea diagnoses from the last 12 months.
- List oral, vaginal, and anal exposure sites so the clinician can select the right specimens.
- Bring all medications, vitamins, minerals, antacids, and supplements.
- Share pregnancy, pregnancy-planning, breastfeeding, allergy, liver, and kidney information.
- Say whether you use HIV PrEP, recently needed HIV PEP, or receive HIV treatment.
Evaluation and coordination locations
Call first to confirm the correct visit, clinician, testing, medication, infection-control, and site-capability requirements. A location card is not a promise of medication stock or same-day administration.
Bronx
174th Street
932 E 174th St, Bronx, NY 10460
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves West Farms, Crotona Park East, and nearby Bronx neighborhoods.
Queens
Astoria
37-15 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves Astoria, Ditmars, East Elmhurst, and nearby Queens neighborhoods.
Bronx
Bartow Mall
2063A Bartow Ave, Bronx, NY 10475
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves Co-op City, Pelham Bay, Baychester, and nearby Bronx neighborhoods.
Brooklyn
Crown Heights
341 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11216
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Long Island
Hicksville
232 W Old Country Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves Hicksville, Plainview, Bethpage, and nearby Nassau County communities.
Queens
Jackson Heights
80-10 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, and nearby Queens neighborhoods.
Queens
Jamaica
90-18 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves Jamaica, Briarwood, Richmond Hill, and nearby Queens neighborhoods.
Queens
Long Island City
30-07 36th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, and nearby Queens neighborhoods.
Long Island
Mineola
135 Mineola Blvd, Mineola, NY 11501
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves Mineola, Garden City, Westbury, and nearby Nassau County communities.
Manhattan
StuyTown
259 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves StuyTown, the East Village, Gramercy, and nearby Manhattan neighborhoods.
Brooklyn
Williamsburg
308 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing. Serves Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick, and nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Patient questions
Who does CDC recommend for doxy-PEP?
CDC recommends counseling and shared decision-making for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women who had syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea during the prior 12 months. Evidence is insufficient for CDC to recommend it for other populations.
How soon after sex is doxy-PEP taken?
When prescribed, CDC recommends 200 mg as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Do not take more than 200 mg in 24 hours.
Does doxy-PEP prevent HIV?
No. Doxy-PEP is intended to reduce selected bacterial STIs. HIV PrEP is used before exposure, and emergency HIV PEP should start as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after a possible exposure.
Do I still need STI testing if I take doxy-PEP?
Yes. CDC recommends bacterial STI testing at the anatomic sites of exposure at baseline and every 3 to 6 months, along with reassessment of continued need.
Can I take doxy-PEP with food?
CDC counseling recommends taking it on a full stomach with a full glass of liquid and avoiding lying down for one hour. Separate it by at least two hours from dairy, antacids, and supplements containing calcium, iron, magnesium, or sodium bicarbonate.
What side effects should I discuss?
Discuss nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sun sensitivity, esophageal discomfort, rash, severe skin reactions, allergies, and any new or persistent symptom. Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, facial swelling, or a severe blistering rash.
Can doxy-PEP replace treatment after a positive test?
No. A positive test requires infection-specific treatment and follow-up. Do not add doses or use leftover medicine without a clinician's direction.
How often is the prescription reviewed?
CDC recommends reassessing ongoing need and testing every 3 to 6 months. The clinician also reviews side effects, interactions, HIV prevention, and vaccines.
Clinical and public-health sources
These official sources were checked on August 1, 2026. They support the general medical information and do not replace an individual evaluation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC doxy-PEP clinical guidelines
Eligible populations, shared decision-making, 200 mg dose limit, 72-hour timing, follow-up testing, counseling, and antimicrobial-resistance uncertainty.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Preventing STIs with doxy PEP
Patient-facing explanation of who may benefit and the limits of current evidence.
DailyMed, National Library of Medicine
Doxycycline hyclate prescribing information
Contraindications, photosensitivity, gastrointestinal and esophageal effects, pregnancy considerations, and drug interactions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Preventing HIV with PEP
Emergency HIV PEP purpose and the requirement to start as soon as possible and within 72 hours of exposure.
Publication remains blocked until a named clinical reviewer verifies current guidance, medication labeling, emergency instructions, and Nao Medical's exact care boundary.
Start with the right visit
This clinic can be a starting point for sexual-health evaluation and coordination. Call first to confirm clinician availability, testing needs, and appointment timing; the card does not promise same-day prescribing.
Health information notice
General information only. This page is not medical advice and does not replace diagnosis, treatment, or guidance from a licensed clinician.
Content was updated August 1, 2026 from the sources cited on this page. Medical guidance, prescribing information, medication availability, and insurance rules can change. A licensed clinician must confirm current information and determine each patient's eligibility, testing, treatment, administration setting, and follow-up. Call 911 for a medical emergency. Contact Nao Medical with a question or correction.