Gonorrhea is primarily treated with antibiotics, with the current first-line treatment being a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone. Often, azithromycin is also prescribed orally to cover possible co-infection with chlamydia. Alternative medicines include doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, and gentamicin, especially for those allergic to ceftriaxone. Treatment should always be guided by a healthcare provider, and it is essential for both partners to be treated to prevent reinfection.
Commonly used antibiotics for gonorrhea:
- Ceftriaxone (injection, preferred first-line)
- Azithromycin (oral, often combined with ceftriaxone)
- Doxycycline (oral, mainly used if chlamydia co-infection is suspected)
- Ciprofloxacin (oral, less commonly used due to resistance concerns)
- Gemifloxacin (oral, alternative for cephalosporin allergy)
- Gentamicin (injection, alternative for cephalosporin allergy)
Treatment notes:
- Ceftriaxone dosage is weight-dependent, commonly 500 mg IM for most adults.
- For pharyngeal gonorrhea, ceftriaxone plus azithromycin is recommended due to higher treatment difficulty.
- If allergic to ceftriaxone, dual therapy with oral gemifloxacin and azithromycin or injectable gentamicin and azithromycin may be used.
- Patients should avoid sexual activity for at least 7 days after completing treatment.
- Follow-up testing may be advised to confirm infection clearance.
This approach ensures effective treatment and helps address antibiotic resistance concerns.
