Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT): | Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is the practice of treating the sex partners of patients with STIs by providing prescriptions or medications to the patient to take to their partner, without the health care provider first examining the partner.
|
Diagnosis of the Patient: | Clinical or laboratory diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
Most Appropriate Patients for EPT: | Patients whose partners are unable or unlikely to seek timely clinical services |
Recommended EPT Drug Regimens |
Partners of patients diagnosed with chlamydia only | Doxycycline* 100 mg orally twice daily x 7 days
OR Azithromycin 1 gram orally once |
Partners of patients diagnosed with gonorrhea only† (chlamydia has been excluded) | Cefixime‡ 800 mg orally once |
Partners of patients diagnosed with gonorrhea and chlamydia (or chlamydia has not been excluded) | Cefixime‡ 800 mg orally once
PLUS Doxycycline* 100 mg orally twice daily x 7 days or Azithromycin 1 gram orally once |
* If there are pregnancy or adherence concerns, azithromycin 1 gram orally once is recommended instead of doxycycline † As of December 2020, dual therapy is no longer recommended for treatment of gonorrhea alone ‡ If cefixime is not available, cefpodoxime 400 mg orally every 12 hours x 2 doses can be prescribed
|
Number of Partners Eligible for EPT: | All partners in the 60 days before patient’s diagnosis (or most recent partner if none in the previous 60 days) |
Labeling and Informational Materials: | Medications should be properly labeled; informational materials should include clear instructions and risks; clinic referrals should be provided |
Counseling: | Patient and partners should not engage in sexual activity for 7 days post-treatment (azithromycin and cefixime) or for the duration of treatment (doxycycline) |
Follow-up: | Rescreening for gonorrhea and chlamydia is recommended three months post-treatment |
For treatment of index patients, see the
CDC STI Treatment Guidelines.
Reporting: In Oregon, providers are required to report lab-confirmed and clinically suspect cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections to public health. To report cases, complete the online
Confidential Oregon Morbidity Report Form. |
Adapted from
Patient-Delivered Partner Therapy (PDPT) for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis: Guidance for Medical Providers in California, issued January 2016, and the Minnesota Department of Health's
EPT for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Guidance for Health Professionals, updated 4/30/2021.
|