Superdrug launch STI ‘morning after pill’ that prevents chlamydia – as cases surge across UK

Superdrug has become the first high street pharmacy to offer a £10 ‘morning after’ pill that could slash soaring rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

The preventative antibiotic – known as DoxyPEP – has been shown to cut the risk of syphilis and chlamydia by up to 80 per cent, when taken within 72 hours of having sex. 

In June, the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV published the UK’s first national guidance on the drug for preventing syphilis in at risk populations including gay and bisexual men.

But experts said this didn’t go far enough and called on health chiefs to make the medicine more widely available across the UK and US. 

STI rates have surged in recent years, with changing sexual behaviours and treatment resistance believed to be behind the worrying trend. 

In 2025 alone, 334,000 people were diagnosed with infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis. 

‘Prevention has always been one of the most effective tools we have in sexual health,’ Dr Babak Ashrafi, Superdrug Online Doctor’s resident GP, said. 

‘Doxy-PEP offers eligible patients another evidence based option that can help reduce the risk of certain bacterial STIs before they occur.’ 

Unlike other preventative treatments, DoxyPEP is designed to be taken after sex, rather than before. 

For maximum effectiveness, two 100mg, capsules should be taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex to prevent certain bacterial STIs such as chlamydia and syphilis. 

However, it can still be taken up to 72 hours afterwards. If multiple episodes of unprotected sex occur within this period, only one 100mg dose is required at the end of that three days. 

‘Timing is really important,’ Dr Ashrafi said. ‘While DoxyPEP can be taken up to three days after sex, taking it as soon as possible within that window is generally recommended.’ 

The drug – which is already given on the NHS to treat syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia once an infection has occurred – is designed specifically to treat bacterial infections which is why only at risk groups will be offered the treatment. 

‘No single intervention can completely eliminate the risk of sexually transmitted infections,’ Dr Ashrafi said

‘Regular testing remains essential, but for eligible patients, DoxyPEP provides another preventative option that can complement existing sexual health measures.’

As such, the service will be offered to men who have sex with men, transgender women, sex workers, individuals who have contracted a bacterial STI in the previous year and those who report ‘higher-risk’ sexual behaviours, like group sex. 

 

The treatment is not suitable for people already experiencing symptoms of an STI. 

In the first ‘real world ‘ study published last year, researchers from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute gave it to 2,253 people already taking preventative HIV medication.

They looked at STI test results before and after administering DoxyPEP and found those taking the pills had a 79 per cent reduced risk of contracting chlamydia, 80 per cent of syphilis and 12 per cent of gonorrhoea. 

Costing just £14.99 for two doses, experts hope the rollout will help reduce the risk of certain STIs before they occur.

According to official figures, chlamydia remains the most common STI, accounting for almost half of all diagnoses in 2025, followed by gonorrhoea and genital herpes. 

Left untreated, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility, with sexually active women encouraged to test for chlamydia after unprotected sex with a new partner. 

Common STI symptoms include unusual discharge from the penis, vagina or anus, pain when urinating and sores around the genitals. 

STI testing is free and confidential and can be accessed through sexual health clinics and discreet self-sampling kits sent by post.