Zithromax is effective in the treatment of early syphilis
Syphilis remains a very common infection in many countries around the world. The recommended treatment for syphilis in most countries is benzylpenicillin in the form of conventional sodium or potassium salt or a prolonged form - benzathine benzylpenicillin. The risk of anaphylactic reactions in the application of penicillin in patients with hypersensitivity dictates the need to search alternative safe and effective drugs for the treatment of syphilis. In this regard, interesting results of a recently completed randomized, controlled clinical trial (RKKY) showed equal efficacy of benzathine penicillin and Zithromax in the treatment of early syphilis in patients without HIV co-infection.
The study of Zithromax in a dose of 2g once used in 255 patients, and benzathine benzylpenicillin in a dose of 2.4 million units injected once / m 262 patients with early syphilis without HIV co-infection. The study was conducted from June 2000 to May 2007 in several centers in the U.S. and Madagascar.
According to the results of serological studies, 6 months after treatment, recovery was noted in 180 of 232 (77.6%) patients treated with Zithromax and in 186 of 237 (78.5%) patients treated with injections of benzathine penicillin.
Thus, the results of the RKKY confirm previously obtained in the pilot study data that the Zithromax in a dose of 2g orally once may be regarded as acceptable for safe and efficient alternative to penicillin in the treatment of early syphilis in patients without HIV co-infection.