The Efficacy of Doxycycline Post Exposure Prophylaxis for Preventing STIs Among MSM in Bangkok, Thailand.

Inclusion criteria

Biological male, aged not over 60 years

Thai nationality

Able to read, communicate, and understand the Thai language

Men who have sex with men (MSM), aged 18 years or older and not over 60 years

Having at least one of the following risk factors:

A history of condomless sex, or condom failure (breakage, leakage, or slippage), via any sexual route with at least two sexual partners within the past 3 months

A diagnosis of gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis within the past 6 months

Current use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Willing and able to participate in study procedures (e.g., able to return to the clinic for scheduled testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis; able to complete doxycycline use records; and able to receive follow-up phone calls from the research team)

Willing and able to provide written informed consent to participate in the study

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Exclusion criteria

• History of allergy to tetracycline-class antibiotics

Diagnosed with syphilis and not yet treated, or currently receiving treatment with benzathine penicillin G or doxycycline

Receipt of benzathine penicillin G within the past 12 weeks

Prior receipt of a gonorrhea vaccine

Current use of medications or products that may interact with doxycycline, including:

Vitamin A derivatives (e.g., isotretinoin, acitretin)

Antiepileptic drugs (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)

Immunosuppressive agents (e.g., methotrexate)

Medications for heart failure or cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., digoxin)

Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin)

Use of oral or injectable medications that affect blood cells, such as anticancer drugs, chemotherapy, systemic corticosteroids, or targeted therapies

History of renal impairment (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) or hepatic impairment (AST or ALT > 3 times the upper limit of normal)

Uncontrolled or unstable underlying diseases, such as hematologic disorders, cancer, autoimmune diseases, or neurological disorders

Severe medical or psychiatric conditions that, in the investigator's judgment, may increase study-related risk or impair the participant's ability to provide informed consent

Alcohol dependence (inability to control alcohol consumption, withdrawal symptoms upon reduction or cessation, or continued use despite harm) or illicit drug dependence (regular, uncontrolled use) within the past 12 months prior to enrollment, which may affect doxycycline use for STI prevention

Previous participation in this study with prior randomization