Online consultation and prescribing
Doxy-PEP online consultations and prescription fees
Swift Clinic provides Doxy-PEP consultations. The doctor reviews the time since sex, symptoms, medical history and current medicines before deciding whether a prescription is appropriate.
Doxy-PEP uses an antibiotic to reduce the risk of some bacterial STIs. Prevention is an off-label use, and the benefit is not the same for everyone. For research findings and detailed precautions, see Doxy-PEP benefits, dosing and side effects.
Swift Clinic's Doxy-PEP fees, online consultation and collection options. One dose ¥1,500; ten doses ¥8,900. Check consultation fee conditions, off-label use, testing and dosing precautions.
Doxy-PEP prescription fees
| Quantity as listed by our clinic | Medicine fee |
|---|---|
| One dose | ¥1,500 |
| Ten doses | ¥8,900 |
Our existing guidance lists consultation as free, with the condition “For a first visit, a consultation fee of ¥3,000 applies if fewer than five tablets are prescribed.” A dose and a tablet are different units. During the consultation, confirm whether this condition applies to your requested quantity, the medicine strength and tablet count, and the final amount payable including collection arrangements.
About our Doxy-PEP consultations
Doxy-PEP is prevention after sex using doxycycline. Our existing information describes doxycycline (Vibramycin). Confirm the actual product, strength and number of tablets to take at consultation and dispensing.
If you are worried about infection, tell us when and what kind of sexual exposure occurred, whether you have symptoms, and your STI and testing history. Prescribing is based on a review of preventive benefits and risks, not solely on gender, occupation or requested quantity. The consultation may result in no prescription.
Preventive benefits and limitations of the evidence
The main evidence involves MSM and transgender women. Across the studies summarised by the CDC, syphilis and chlamydia incidence fell by more than 70%, and gonorrhoea by about 50%. These are relative reductions in study populations, not each individual's prevention rate. The gonorrhoea benefit also depends on resistance and other circumstances. CDC guideline
The same benefit cannot be assumed for cisgender women, heterosexual men and other populations. It does not prevent viral infections such as HIV or herpes, or pregnancy. See research on benefits and who may consider it.
Timing and precautions when taking it
The CDC regimen is doxycycline 200 mg as soon as possible after sex, no later than 72 hours, with no more than 200 mg in 24 hours. Follow the prescription instructions for your own medicine strength and tablet count. Do not add doses according to the number of encounters or increase the dose to compensate for exceeding 72 hours. CDC guideline
Take it with plenty of water and avoid immediately before bed. The CDC advises taking it with food and sufficient water, and not lying down for one hour afterwards. Check the interval from antacids, supplements and other products. See detailed dosing guidance and interaction precautions.
If taking a dose within 72 hours is relevant to your situation, do not assume an online appointment or postal delivery will arrive in time. Explain the time since exposure and discuss consultation and collection options with a provider. This is not a guarantee of same-day dispatch or a delivery time.
Side effects and symptoms requiring urgent care
Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and rash can occur. Oesophagitis, oesophageal ulcers and photosensitivity reactions in sunlight also require attention. PMDA prescribing information, sections 11 and 14
Breathing difficulty or swelling of the face or throat may be a serious allergy: stop taking the medicine and seek emergency care immediately. A widespread rash with fever, skin or mucosal erosion, blood in stools, or frequent diarrhoea or severe abdominal pain also requires no further doses and prompt medical advice. PMDA prescribing information, section 11.1
For symptoms and actions in detail, see side effects and when to stop and seek care.
Medicines and health conditions to review before prescribing
People with a history of allergy to tetracycline antibiotics must not use it. Disclose all products you take, including antacids, iron or calcium supplements, warfarin, antiepileptic medicines, diabetes medicines and oral contraceptives. Swallowing disorders and liver or kidney disease also need review. PMDA prescribing information, sections 2, 9 and 10
Our existing guidance tells pregnant or breastfeeding patients not to take it. Discuss possible pregnancy during the consultation as well. Pregnancy and breastfeeding explains the prescribing information separately from clinic policy.
Resistance, STI testing and HIV prevention
Repeated antibiotic use raises concerns about resistant bacteria and effects on bacteria in the body. Review preventive need and side effects with the doctor rather than taking it daily on your own. The CDC recommends testing and reassessing continued use at the start and every three to six months thereafter. If you have symptoms, seek care without waiting for routine testing. CDC guideline
Doxy-PEP differs from HIV PEP. If HIV exposure is a concern, contact a provider immediately rather than waiting for a Doxy-PEP prescription or delivery. See testing and follow-up, differences from HIV PEP and our STI consultations.
Off-label use
The approved indications of Vibramycin in Japan include treatment of infections caused by specified bacteria, but not STI prevention after sex. Doxy-PEP for prevention is off-label use. Discuss the decision with the doctor after understanding benefits, side effects, resistance, limitations and testing requirements. PMDA prescribing information, sections 4 and 6
Frequently asked questions
Is ¥1,500 the total including consultation and delivery?
¥1,500 is the medicine fee for one dose. The consultation fee has the condition “¥3,000 at a first visit if fewer than five tablets are prescribed.” Confirm its application to your quantity and the final amount payable including collection arrangements.
Can I buy the medicine without a consultation, like ordinary online shopping?
The doctor decides whether a prescription is appropriate during a consultation. An online consultation is medical care, not simply selecting and buying medicine. Confirm suitability for prevention and dosing during the visit.
How many tablets are in one dose?
Confirm this alongside the prescribed medicine's strength at consultation and dispensing. A dose and a tablet count differ, so do not decide from the fee table alone. Follow the dispensing label and doctor's instructions.
After an online consultation, is collection available instead of delivery?
Our guidance offers postal delivery or direct collection after an online consultation. Confirm available collection times and procedures, explaining the time since sex as well.
Will postal delivery arrive in time for sex today?
We cannot guarantee an arrival time. Timing of the dose matters: explain the elapsed time and discuss consultation and collection options. Do not decide on your own that it is safe to wait for delivery.
I have symptoms. Is preventive medicine enough?
An existing infection requires testing and appropriate treatment, not extra preventive medicine. Tell the doctor about pain when urinating, discharge, genital ulcers or other symptoms.
Can I receive a prescription while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Our existing guidance tells pregnant or breastfeeding patients not to take it. Discuss possible pregnancy as well, and do not use it on your own.
Do I still need testing after taking preventive medicine?
Yes. Doxy-PEP does not completely prevent infection. Discuss testing at the start and during continued use, and reassessment of need. With symptoms, seek care without waiting for scheduled testing.
Online consultation and collection process
- Choose an appointment through online booking. Follow the instructions provided after booking to complete the medical questionnaire before consultation.
- The doctor checks the time since sex, symptoms, previous STIs, medical history and other medicines, and decides whether prescribing is appropriate.
- If prescribed, confirm the medicine strength, tablet count, dosing, fees and collection arrangements. Postal delivery or direct collection is offered for online consultations.
- If postal delivery is requested after an online consultation, dispatch follows completed card payment or bank transfer. Confirm shipping charges and expected dispatch and arrival dates.
At in-person visits, payment options include cash, QR payment (including WeChat Pay and Alipay) and cards (including UnionPay).
What to prepare before the consultation
- The time of sex and the time of the most recent Doxy-PEP dose, if any
- Whether you have symptoms, and your STI treatment and testing history
- Medicine allergies, medical history and pregnancy or breastfeeding status
- Product names of prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines and supplements
Detailed medicine information: Doxy-PEP in Japan: STI Prevention, Timing and Prescription Checks