title: Randomized comparison of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone in patients with uncomplicated gonorrhea.
abstract: Cefotaxime is a third-generation cephalosporin with excellent in vitro antimicrobial activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including beta-lactamase-producing strains. A single, 1-gm, intramuscular dose has previously been shown to be effective in the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea. A randomized, multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a lower, 500-mg dose of cefotaxime in comparison with ceftriaxone 250 mg, the standard treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea. One hundred forty-two patients were enrolled and 115 were evaluable. Bacteriologic eradication rates were 95% in the cefotaxime group and 100% in the ceftriaxone group (P = 0.119). Adverse events that were possibly related to the study drug occurred in 3% and 8% of patients in the cefotaxime and ceftriaxone groups, respectively. Cefotaxime 500 mg appears to be a safe and cost-effective alternative to ceftriaxone 250 mg for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Mogabgab
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Wendel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D002443:Ceftriaxone; D002439:Cefotaxime