Medications for Chlamydia

June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

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Medications for Chlamydia

Prescription Medications

Antibiotics

]]>Azithromycin]]> (Zithromax)—This antibiotic is the drug of choice for chamydial infections since it is effective just with a single dose. It should not be taken if you have liver disease. If you are elderly, hospitalized, or debilitaded, this medication should be used with caution. Possible side effects include:
- Stomach pain
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Itching
]]>Clarithromycin]]> (Biaxin)
]]>Erythromycin]]> (generic)
]]>Doxycycline]]> (Vibramycin)—This antibiotic is usually given for seven days. It is just as effective as a single dose of azithromycin, but much cheaper. It should not be taken if you have liver disease. If used during tooth development, this antibiotic can cause permanent discoloration. It should not be used in children (up to age 8 years) or in pregnancy. Possible side effects include:
- Soreness in mouth
- ]]>Diarrhea]]>
- Itching sensation in vagina or rectum
- Headache
- Rash
]]>Ofloxacin]]> (Floxin)—This antibiotic is an alternative drug for azithromycin or doxycycline, but is more expensive. It is not recommended in children, teenagers, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding because of the potential of this drug to damage the joints. Possible side effects include:
- Sleep disturbance
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Rash
- Itch
]]>Levofloxacin]]> (Levaquin)—This drug should not be taken if you are on the following drugs: ]]>ciprofloxacin]]> (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), ]]>ofloxacin]]> (Floxin), ]]>norfloxacin]]> (Noroxin), and lomefloxacin (Maxaquin). If you are a diabetic, you need to monitor your blood sugar more closely since this drug can make your blood sugar go up or go down. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight since this drug makes your skin more sensitive to UV light. Possible side effects include:
- Sleep disturbance
- Diarrhea
- ]]>Constipation]]>
- Nausea
- Headache

References

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV guideline: 2006 UK national guideline for the management of genital tract infection with chlamydia trachomatis. London, England: British Association for Sexual health and HIV(BASHH); 2006.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website. Available at: http://www.ccohs.ca/ . Accessed September 18, 2008.

Canadian Paediatric Society website. Available at: http://www.cps.ca/ . Updated March 2008. Accessed September 18, 2008.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/default.htm . Accessed September 18, 2008.

DynaMed Editorial Team. Chlamydia genital infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated July 16, 2010. Accessed November 12, 2010.

International Trachoma Initiative website. Available at: http://www.trachoma.org/ . Accessed September 18, 2008.

Miller KE. Diagnosis and treatment of chlamydia trachomatis infection. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73:1411-1416.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Chlamydia. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/chlamydia/ . Accessed September 18, 2008.

National Women's Health Organization. Chlamydia. National Women's Health Organization website. Available at: http://www.4women.gov/faq/stdchlam.htm . Updated May 2005. Accessed September 18, 2008.

Last reviewed September 2010 by ]]>Lawrence Frisch, MD, MPH]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.