Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT)

An amendment to the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 22, Section 190.8, adopted in June 2009 by the Texas Medical Board, expressly allows Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT). The exception created by this amendment acknowledges the serious impact of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Today, physicians can prescribe treatment for the sexual partner(s) of their established clients with STDs without establishing a professional relationship with the partner(s) first.

In 2018, 145,874 cases of chlamydial infection and 46,958 cases of gonorrheal infection were reported in Texas. Most healthcare providers advise their clients with STDs to notify their sex partners. Yet, CDC estimates the proportion of partners who seek evaluation and treatment in response to patient referral ranges from 29% to 59%. Studies have demonstrated that re-infection of treated index subjects by untreated partners accounts for 14% to 30% of incident bacterial STDs.

Expedited Partner Therapy is the harm-reduction strategy of treating partners of clients diagnosed with gonorrhea or chlamydia without an intervening medical evaluation or professional prevention counseling. EPT for partners of MSM should be based on shared clinical decision-making between the client and their provider with consideration for the risk of other STDs and HIV. The usual implementation of EPT is patient-delivered partner therapy, where clients deliver medications or prescriptions to their sexual partner(s). Other potential means to achieve EPT include prescriptive arrangements with cooperating pharmacies, retrieval of medication by partners at public health clinics, or delivery of medication to partners in non-clinical settings by public health workers.

DSHS recommends that all physicians provide expedited partner therapy. In Texas, as of February 2021, oral cefixime is still acceptable to use for EPT for partners of clients diagnosed with gonorrhea. EPT can reduce the risk of re-infection among persons treated for STDs, prevent infections, complications, and reduce transmission to un-infected persons. The benefits outweigh the few drawbacks of EPT.

View the EPT fact sheet and other patient/partner education materials below to learn more.

EPT Training

• Expedited Partner Therapy (Cardea Training Center) – eLearning course continuing education credit available until October 28, 2023.

EPT Documents

• Expedited Partner Therapy for STDs Dear Provider Letter
• Expedited STD Management Implementation Guide – This April 2022 update includes the 2021 CDC Sexually Transmitted Infection Treatment Guidelines.
• Expedited STD Management Implementation Guide – This April 2022 update includes the 2021 CDC Sexually Transmitted Infection Treatment Guidelines.
• What About Your Partners?
• Y En Cuanto A Sus Parejas?
• HIV/STD Partner Notification: The Health Provider's Role
• Expedited Partner Therapy information from CDC
• Guidance on the Use of Expedited Partner Therapy in the Treatment of Gonorrhea from CDC