title: Azithromycin vs doxycycline in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis.
abstract: Azithromycin is a novel azalide macrolide active against Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. High persistent tissue concentrations allow short courses or even single doses to be considered. Sixty-two patients were studied, 19 received azithromycin 1 g in a single dose, 22 received azithromycin 500 mg in a single dose on day 1 followed by 250 mg once daily for 2 days and 21 received doxycycline 200 mg in a loading dose followed by 100 mg every 12 h for 7 days. Efficacy of these 3 regimens was compared in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). Clearance of C. trachomatis from post-treatment cultures was satisfactory with all regimens. Response defined as the absence of symptoms and reduction in polymorphonuclear leucocytes in a Gram stained smear of urethral secretion to less than 5 cells per hpf (x 100 objective) was statistically better for the 3 day regimen of azithromycin than for the other 2 regimens. All treatments were well tolerated. Three days or single doses of azithromycin compared to 7 days of tetracycline (or 10-14 days as is often prescribed) have obvious advantages for patient compliance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genitourinary Medicine, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Whatley
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Thin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mumtaz
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ridgway
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D017963:Azithromycin; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D016869:Ureaplasma Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016990:Ureaplasma urealyticum; D014526:Urethritis / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D004917:Erythromycin; D017963:Azithromycin; D004318:Doxycycline