DOES AZITHROMYCIN HAVE A FUTURE IN THE TREATMENT OF GONORRHOEA AND CHLAMYDIAL INFECTION?

Abstract

Azithromycin, a second generation macrolide antimicrobial, has been widely used as a first line treatment for chlamydia and non-gonococcal urethritis and as part of dual treatment with ceftriaxone for gonorrhoea. Its unique pharmacokinetic properties including its extensive tissue distribution and long half-life, have enabled it to be administered as single dose treatment making it preferred for many STIs, particularly when there are any concerns about treatment adherence. A single dose regimen of azithromycin gives a larger maximum tissue concentration and has more rapid bacterial clearance than longer courses of the same overall dose suggesting that shorter durations of larger doses (>1g) ..