Dexycycline to Treat Chlamydia Infection
Date:2018-12-07 click:0
Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat chlamydia infection. It is used mainly as an alternative to the antibiotic azithromycin.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends doxycycline or azithromycin as first-choice antibiotic for the treatment of chlamydia infection. These medications are very effective for both acute and persistent infections.
A recent analysis of 12 randomized clinical trials of azithromycin versus doxycycline for the treatment of genital chlamydial infection demonstrated that the treatments were equally efficacious, with microbial cure rates of 97% and 98%, respectively2.
Doxycycline is equally as effective as azithromycin, but whereas azithromycin is a single dose treatment, doxycycline treatment needs to be taken twice daily for 7 days.
The most frequently seen side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and acid type indigestion and heart burn.
Other side effects are rare. Doxycycline can cause light sensitivity. Strong sun and sun beds should be avoided whilst doxycycline is being taken.
- Avoid sexual contact whilst taking doxycycline and for 7 days afterwards, until no longer infectious.
- People with a positive chlamydia test and their sexual partners should be treated, at the same time if possible.
- Tests take 6 weeks to go negative after chlamydia has been successfully treated.
