What is the first-line treatment for gonorrhea?

The first-line treatment for gonorrhea is a combination of ceftriaxone and azithromycin. This dual therapy is recommended to effectively combat gonococcal infections while also addressing the concern of antibiotic resistance that has become increasingly prevalent with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, effectively killing the bacteria. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that interferes with bacterial protein synthesis. Together, the use of these two antibiotics helps ensure that if the bacteria are resistant to one, the other may still be effective, thus providing a more comprehensive treatment approach.

This combination therapy has been shown to reduce treatment failure rates and is endorsed by health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Using only ceftriaxone or azithromycin alone may not provide the necessary coverage due to growing antimicrobial resistance patterns, emphasizing the importance of the dual approach.