What is the preferred treatment for gonorrhea?

The preferred treatment for gonorrhea is 500mg of Ceftriaxone administered intramuscularly (IM). This choice is backed by current clinical guidelines, which recommend ceftriaxone due to its efficacy against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea. Ceftriaxone acts as a cephalosporin antibiotic that provides a broad spectrum of activity, particularly against gram-negative bacteria like those causing gonorrhea.

Additionally, the treatment regimens often involve the use of dual therapy to combat potential resistance, but if considering monotherapy, ceftriaxone remains one of the most effective options. The IM route ensures a rapid response and sustained levels of the drug in the system, which is crucial in managing infections like gonorrhea.

In contrast, azithromycin and doxycycline, while effective against various bacterial infections, are not the first line treatments specifically for gonorrhea due to increasing resistance observed. Cefixime, also an oral cephalosporin, is an alternative but is generally less preferred compared to the intramuscular administration of ceftriaxone.