US health officials said Monday doctors may begin prescribing a common antibiotic pill for men who have sex with men, as well as biological males who identify as women who have sex with men, in order to reduce infection. .The pill is anticipated to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis among the gay community. .It has fueled concerns it may give rise to "more resistant strains,” thus it is not being encouraged in a wider demographic. .The formula, doxycycline used as a post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP), was “found to cut the risk of developing these infections in clinical trials involving men who have sex with men and transgender women who engaged in condomless sex,” according to Insider Paper. .The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) drafted guidelines for “these higher risk groups” specifically “out of concern a broader recommendation could drive the rise of superbugs.”.The guidelines are a 200-milligram pill 72 hours after the sexual encounter..Insider Paper said the number of cases reported for three particular strands of bacterial infections “rose to 2.5 million” in 2021, which is a “further spike following about a decade of growth.”.The release of PrEP, a daily pill that reduces the chances of contracting HIV, means many men who have sex with men are doing so without wearing a condom, leading to spikes in infection rates of other diseases. .Jonathan Mermin, lead on STI prevention at the CDC, said much more work needs to be done in the field. .“Innovation and creativity matter in public health, and more tools are desperately needed,” Mermin, said per AFP News. .The new pill, DoxyPEP, has so far been successful in three of four clinical trials. .Annie Luetkemeyer, physician-scientist at the University of California, leading scientist on one trial, told AFP “there was about a two-thirds reduction in sexually transmitted infection every three months.”.She said 500 men, or biological males who identify as women, who have sex with men participated in the study. .The drug reduced chlamydia and syphilis by 80% and gonorrhea 55%. .Insider Paper said there were side effects, but not yet any with “cause for alarm.”.“Broadening access to doxycycline has prompted concerns about causing antibiotic resistance,” the publication said.
