Could a simple antibiotic dosing schedule be key to STI prevention?
NCT ID NCT07755618
First seen Aug 10, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study looks at how the body processes doxycycline, an antibiotic, when taken in different ways—either as a single dose or repeated doses (daily or every three days). Healthy adults without any sexually transmitted infections will be randomly assigned to one of these schedules, and researchers will measure drug levels in the blood over time. The goal is to understand how well each schedule maintains effective drug concentrations, which could inform future strategies for using doxycycline to prevent STIs. The study also tracks any stomach-related side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- doxycycline hyclate (an antibiotic) in immediate-release or delayed-release tablet form
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help optimize doxycycline dosing for preventing sexually transmitted infections, potentially making prevention more effective and easier to follow.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study focused on drug levels and side effects, not on whether doxycycline actually prevents STIs. Results may not translate to real-world prevention, and gastrointestinal side effects are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
About 16 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Aug 2026
- Expected to finish
-
Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A research network
The lead sponsor is a research network or cooperative group.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 65 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Aged 18 to 65 years of age at the time of screening 2. Able and willing to follow study participation requirements and provide informed consent to take part in the study 3. Has a non-reactive/negative HIV test results at screening per applicable algorithm 4. Has and is able to maintain a caput (head) of hair, that has not been chemically treated (defined as hair that has been bleached, permed, relaxed or dyed/colored) and is greater than one centimeter in length for the duration of the study 5. For females of reproductive potential: Has a negative urine pregnancy test at screening 6. For females of reproductive potential: Using at least two effective methods of contraception for at least 30 days (inclusive) prior to enrollment and intending to use two effective methods of contraception for the duration of study participation. It is strongly recommended that at least one barrier method (e.g. condoms) in addition to a hormonal contraception method be used. Examples of acceptable and effective methods include: 1. Hormonal methods (oral pills, vaginal ring, depo, transdermal or implant) 2. Intrauterine device (IUD) inserted at least 30 days prior to enrollment 3. Surgical sterilization (of participant or partner(s)) including bilateral tubal ligation or vasectomized male partners 4. Barrier methods (condom with/without spermicide, sponge, cervical cap, diaphragm) 5. Self-identifies as having same sex partners 6. Self-reported sexually abstinent as defined by abstaining from penile-vaginal intercourse for 90 days prior to enrollment and intending to remain sexually abstinent for the duration of study participation 7. Has access to a smartphone and/or laptop and is able and willing to participate in video-based communications with study staff for directly observed dosing requirements 8. In good general health, in the opinion of the investigator of record (IoR) or designee and has no medical condition that would adversely impact the conduct of the study (inclusive of self-reported conditions and/or those found upon medical history and examination or in available medical records). This includes, but is not limited to, having an intact, healthy gastrointestinal tract (without damage or functional disruption) and the ability to swallow pills Exclusion Criteria: 1. Per participant report, planned or active use of any anticonvulsants at screening and an unwillingness to restrict use of certain medications (iron, antacids, etc.) for the duration of the study 2. For females of reproductive potential: Pregnant or currently breastfeeding, or intends to become pregnant and/or breastfeed during the study 3. Has any of the following laboratory abnormalities: 1. An estimated calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) less than 60 mL/min by the Cockcroft-Gault formula at screening 2. Positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at screening 3. Has a Grade 2 or higher clinically significant laboratory abnormality as defined by The Division of AIDS Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Corrected Version 2.1 - July 2017 (exception: a CrCl ≥ 60 mL/min at enrollment is permissible for enrollment) 4. Per participant reported symptoms or clinical and/or laboratory diagnosis of an active pharyngeal, anorectal, or reproductive tract infection (RTI) requiring treatment at screening and enrollment per current US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines (https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/default.htm). Infections requiring treatment include Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), syphilis, active herpes simplex virus (HSV) lesions, or symptomatic genital warts, chancroid, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), bacterial vaginosis (BV), symptomatic vaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis 5. Participation in research studies involving drugs, products, or vaccines within 30 days of the enrollment and for the duration of the study 6. Has donated blood within 8 weeks of enrollment of approximately 1 pint (550 mL) 7. Has a known allergy (adverse reaction) to any of the components of the study product, including known hypersensitivity to tetracycline-class antibiotics 8. Prior use of doxycycline or any other tetracycline-class antibiotic within 30 days prior to enrollment 9. Has an active infection that may be responsive to treatment with doxycycline or another tetracycline antibiotic 10. Has evidence or history of any other condition (e.g., gastrectomy, seizure disorder), that, in the opinion of the IoR or designee, would make study participation unsafe, complicate interpretation of study outcome data, or otherwise interfere with achieving study objectives
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Sexually transmitted infection are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could routine STI screening during pregnancy prevent preterm births?
- New trial combines HIV PrEP and STI prevention in one package for young men
- Daily doxycycline levels measured to fight STIs
- Could hidden infections harm fertility? new study investigates
- Massive infection database aims to unlock secrets of deadly diseases
- Meningitis b vaccine tested as gonorrhea shield in men