Learn about Antibiotics for Chlamydia along with Their Descriptions

Learn about Antibiotics for Chlamydia along with Their Descriptions
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What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is an infection of the reproductive organs resulting from the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It refers to a sexually transmitted disease (STD), which can damage the reproductive organs seriously. Women are more vulnerable to have this infection leading to long-term complications than men, but it can be simply treated with antibiotics. Chlamydia can be also passed through vagina and rectum during sexual contact. In addition, a baby might suffer from this disease from her mom during childbirth. The infections can lead to serious health problems if untreated. Those infections include infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and permanent damage to the uterus.

Antibiotics for Chlamydia

Once you have contracted chlamydia, then you should avoid sexual contact until you have been completely cured. However, antibiotics for chlamydia are available for the sufferers of this disease. Keep in mind you consult your physician before deciding what medication you will need. Below is a list of these antibacterial agents.

Azithromycin (Brand Names: Zithromax, Z-pack)

Azithromycin is very effective to treat and cure chlamydia. This oral medication will work after taking one gram in a single dose. You should abstain from having sexual contact for seven days after the treatment. In addition, pregnant women with chlamydia are allowed to take this medicine as it proves safe and efficacious.

Azithromycin contains therapeutic concentrations to combat infection with the help of the activity of white blood cells, which take up the medicine quickly. Therapeutic concentrations will continue working for five to seven days after a previous dose. Sometimes, this antibiotic might lead to gastrointestinal side effects such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea. If you have macrolide hypersensitivity, you should not receive the medicine since it is contraindicated. Keep in mind this antibiotic cannot be taken with food.

Doxycycline (Brand Names: Vibramycin, Doryx, Oracea, Atridox, Adoxa)

The treatment with doxycycline is efficient owing to having anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have revealed that the medicine is very reliable and can be taken for a longer period. This antibiotic works well to treat bacterial infections. You can take 100 mg by mouth twice daily for seven days if you suffer from chlamydia.

You should not take doxycycline with magnesium, aluminum, and calcium based antacids, nor minerals like calcium and iron concurrently. These medications will hold this antibiotic in your intestine, prevent, and decrease its absorption by 20%.

This antibiotic will occasionally result in side effects like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Unlike azithromycin, doxycycline is not recommended during pregnancy as it contains toxic effects on bone development of the fetus. This medicine is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Ofloxacin (Brand Name: Floxin)

Ofloxacin offers efficacy to eradicate the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is administered at a dose of 300 mg orally twice a day for seven days if you have chlamydia. This medicine will work properly on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after meals.

Keep in mind you do not consume milk before or after taking ofloxacin. Pregnant women with chlamydia are not recommended taking this antibiotic. Side effects that may occur include insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and headache.

Amoxicillin (Brand Names: Amoxil, Trimox, Dispermox)

Studies have shown that amoxicillin is safe and effective for pregnant women with chlamydia. It is also good to consume while breastfeeding. In addition, amoxicillin can be taken with or without food. This antibiotic is taken 500 mg by mouth three times daily for seven days.

Even if you feel better after several days, keep taking this medicine until the prescribed amount is fulfilled. Quitting the medication too early will never heal the disease, but it can make the bacteria flourish.

Taking amoxicillin might include side effects such as dizziness, nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and itching. Amoxicillin is contraindicated for those who have hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Chlamydia – CDC Fact Sheet - https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm

eMed Expert: Antibiotics for Chlamydia Infection - https://www.emedexpert.com/conditions/chlamydia.shtml

MedicineNet.com: Medications and Drugs - https://www.medicinenet.com/doxycycline/article.htm

MedicineNet.com: Medications and Drugs - https://www.medicinenet.com/ofloxacin/article.htm

MedicineNet.com: Medications and Drugs - https://www.medicinenet.com/amoxicillin-oral/article.htm

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