Do not use amoxicillin to treat gonorrhea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explicitly state that amoxicillin is no longer recommended for gonorrhea treatment due to widespread antibiotic resistance. Using amoxicillin for gonorrhea is ineffective and could lead to serious complications.
Recommended Treatment
The CDC currently recommends ceftriaxone as a single intramuscular injection, often combined with oral azithromycin. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment based on your individual situation and local antibiotic resistance patterns. Always seek professional medical advice for gonorrhea diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Treatment Failure
The failure rate of amoxicillin against gonorrhea is extremely high. Continued infection can lead to serious health problems, including infertility and disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), a potentially life-threatening condition. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial.
Antibiotic Resistance
| Amoxicillin | Ineffective |
| Ceftriaxone | Recommended |
| Azithromycin | Recommended (often in combination with Ceftriaxone) |
Seeking Medical Care
If you suspect you have gonorrhea, contact a healthcare provider immediately. They can perform the necessary tests and prescribe the correct medication. Delaying treatment increases the risk of complications and spreads the infection to sexual partners.
Prevention
Safe sex practices, including consistent and correct condom use, significantly reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea. Regular STI testing is also recommended, especially if you are sexually active.
