Table of contents:
- What are the drug options for treating gonorrhea (gonorrhea)?
- 1. Ceftriaxone
- 2. Azithromycin
- 3. Cefixime
- 4. Gentamicin
- 5. Doxycycline
- 6. Erythromycin
- Are there gonorrhea medications other than antibiotics?
- What will happen if gonorrhea is not treated?
Gonorrhea is a disease that does not always cause symptoms after infection. However, untreated gonorrhea runs the risk of causing complications later in life. Usually, the treatment for gonorrhea or gonorrhea that must be done so that the bacteria does not spread is by taking antibiotics. Check out the following explanation to know the right type of medicine as a way to treat gonorrhea (gonorrhea), let's go!
What are the drug options for treating gonorrhea (gonorrhea)?
Gonorrhea or gonorrhea is a venereal disease that can be transmitted through oral, anal or vaginal sex.
Handling or initial therapy for gonorrhea, namely by administering antibiotics. Some of the patient's conditions are recommended for initial treatment, namely:
- Someone with a positive gonorrhea test.
- A person who has had sex in the past 60 days with someone diagnosed with gonorrhea.
- Newborns whose mothers are infected with the bacteria that causes gonorrhea.
You should still take antibiotics for gonorrhea (gonorrhea) even if you use a condom while having sex with a partner who has gonorrhea.
Even if your partner is asymptomatic but is diagnosed with gonorrhea, you are advised to undergo treatment as well.
Quoted from the site of the United States disease control and prevention center, the CDC, here are some types of antibiotic drugs used in the treatment of gonorrhea (gonorrhea):
1. Ceftriaxone
This antibiotic is given by injection into an intravenous (vein) for 30-60 minutes.
To treat gonorrhea, this drug is given as much as 500 milligrams (mg) as a single dose for patients weighing less than 150 kilograms (kg).
Meanwhile, for people with a body weight equal to or more than 150 kg, doctors can give ceftriaxone as much as 1000 mg or 1 gram (gr).
This antibiotic is usually taken together with the drug azithromycin to inhibit the growth of bacteria that have reached the bloodstream.
2. Azithromycin
This antibiotic is used to treat gonorrhea by inhibiting bacterial growth. Azithromycin is available in tablet and liquid form which are taken orally (drink).
The drug azithromycin can treat gonorrhea by taking it together or without food once a day at a dose of 1 g for 1-5 days.
To treat gonorrhea, the drug azithromycin is taken together with ceftriaxone by injection (injection).
3. Cefixime
This antibiotic is used as a substitute when ceftriaxone is not available. This drug works by inhibiting the development of bacteria that cause gonorrhea.
Cefixime can be given if people with gonorrhea do not have complications. Cefixime is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid form to drink.
Usually, cefixime is taken with or without food every 12 or 24 hours.
As part of the gonorrhea treatment, this drug is given in a single dose of 800 mg and usually together with the antibiotic azithromycin.
4. Gentamicin
Gentamicin can be used as an alternative medicine if ceftriaxone is not available. The drug that can be used to treat gonorrhea is given in the form of an injection (injection) of 240 mg in 1 dose.
Just like ceftriaxone, gentamicin also needs to be given together with 2 grams of azithromycin in 1 dose.
5. Doxycycline
This antibiotic is used as a way to treat gonorrhea by inhibiting a protein that can trigger bacterial growth.
Doxycycline can be used for 10-14 days at a dose of 100 mg. This gonorrhea (gonorrhea) drug is usually given in addition to a single dose of ceftriaxone.
The combination of doxycycline and ceftriaxone is given when gonorrhea infection has caused pelvic inflammation.
6. Erythromycin
Erythromycin is an antibiotic ointment that is recommended for use in newborns to treat and prevent conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye) gonorrhea.
If the doctor gives 1 dose of antibiotic, make sure you give it to the baby according to the doctor's advice.
Skipping doses or not taking medication as directed has the risk of making gonorrhea infection difficult to heal.
Symptoms of gonorrhea that do not feel better can be caused by another gonorrhea infection or failure in treatment.
This is probably because the bacteria that cause gonorrhea have become resistant to certain antibiotics. So, in this condition, the doctor may give you another type of antibiotic to cure the infection.
In some cases, people who have gonorrhea can also get chlamydia. Therefore, gonorrhea treatment can also include antibiotics that are able to treat chlamydia.
Are there gonorrhea medications other than antibiotics?
So far, there are no herbal medicines or drugs that can be bought freely in pharmacies to cure gonorrhea. If anything, research has not adequately demonstrated how effective these drugs are.
Gonorrhea medicine can only be obtained based on a doctor's prescription so that the infection does not develop and cause complications.
If you have been diagnosed with gonorrhea, there are a number of things you need to pay attention to, such as:
- Take complete antibiotics according to a doctor's prescription until you are declared cured.
- Avoid having sex for a while while you are having treatment.
- If you are receiving 1 dose of an antibiotic, wait at least 7 days after the drug runs out so you can have sex
- Once it is permitted to have sex, try to always use a condom.
- Make sure your partner also checks with the doctor to find out whether the infection has spread to other people or not, even though he may not have symptoms of gonorrhea.
Immediately contact a doctor if symptoms persist or new symptoms develop. You may need other antibiotics and further tests.
What will happen if gonorrhea is not treated?
Gonorrhea does not cause long-term problems if treated early on. Conversely, if this disease is not treated, it can certainly cause many complications.
This is because gonorrhea infection can spread to other parts of the body besides the genitals, namely the joints, skin, heart, and blood.
This condition is known as disseminated gonococcal infection. If you experience this condition, usually treatment is done by giving an IV and hospitalization.
Compared to men, women are more at risk of long-term complications if gonorrhea infection (gonorrhea) is not treated.
Gonorrhea infection in women is at risk of attacking the reproductive tract, including the uterus, fallopian tubes (fallopian tubes), and ovaries (ovaries).
Complications that are usually experienced by women due to gonorrhea infection without treatment are pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb).
These complications are certainly dangerous and can threaten your life. Therefore, it's best to have regular check-ups to find out your body's condition and get the right treatment.
Sexually transmitted disease screening can also be a measure to prevent gonorrhea. Don't hesitate to call your doctor if you experience any worrisome symptoms.
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