Examples
Penicillin is the
antibiotic
most commonly used to treat
syphilis. Penicillin is usually given as a shot
(injection).
If you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor
may prescribe another antibiotic in early stages of syphilis, such as
doxycycline, tetracycline, ceftriaxone,
or azithromycin. Or he or she may desensitize you so that you can
safely take penicillin. Later stages of syphilis
may require treatment with penicillin.
Penicillin is the only antibiotic that should be used during
pregnancy. If you are pregnant and think you may be allergic to penicillin,
discuss your allergy with your doctor.
How It Works
Antibiotics destroy the bacteria that cause syphilis.
Why It Is Used
Antibiotics are needed if you have a positive blood test for
syphilis during routine screening or have symptoms suggestive of syphilis.
Exposed sex partners of a person with syphilis and
babies born to women who have syphilis also need treatment.
The amount of antibiotics used and how often the medicine is taken
are based on the
stage of the illness. For example, if
neurosyphilis is present, you will need to receive
antibiotics for 10 days to 2 weeks.
How Well It Works
Treatment with penicillin cures most cases of syphilis in any
stage. Antibiotics prevent further complications of
syphilis but may not reverse damage that has already occurred.
A follow-up exam and a blood test for cure should be done at
6 and 12 months after the antibiotics are given (and may be done at 24 months
after latent syphilis) to be sure the infection is cured.
If human immunodeficiency virus (
HIV) infection
was also present at the time of treatment, follow-up exams and blood tests
should be done at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months.
1
Syphilis passed to a baby from the mother (
congenital syphilis)
may be prevented if the woman is treated before the 16th to 18th weeks of
her pregnancy. Treatment after 16 to 18 weeks will cure the infection and stop the
damage to the baby. But it may not reverse damage already caused by the
infection.
Side Effects
All
medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side
effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about
the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed
in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor.
He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do
not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor if you have:
- Hives.
- Severe belly pain or cramps.
- Decreased urine.
- Depression.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising.
Common side effects of this medicine include:
- Diarrhea.
- Headache.
- Sore mouth or tongue.
- Vaginal itching or discharge.
A
Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is a fairly common reaction to
antibiotic treatment of syphilis that involves fever and headache.
It may occur
up to 8 hours after the first treatment of early syphilis. The
reason the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction occurs is not clear. But
it may be caused by the toxins released from the syphilis bacteria
as they are
destroyed by antibiotics. A Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is not the
same as an
allergic reaction to penicillin.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Antibiotic treatment can cure syphilis. And it can prevent complications.
The complications of tertiary-stage or congenital syphilis may not be reversed
with treatment. But the progression of the disease will be stopped.
Penicillin is the preferred drug for treating syphilis. And penicillin is the standard therapy for the treatment
of neurosyphilis, congenital syphilis, or syphilis acquired or detected during
pregnancy. But other antibiotics (such as ceftriaxone) may be used.
Taking medicine
Medicine is
one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking
medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may
prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you
may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There
are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in
most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to
work around common problems, see the topic
Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
Advice for women
If
you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not
use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can
harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your
doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get
pregnant.
Checkups
Follow-up
care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go
to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems.
It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the
medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (2010). Syphilis section of Sexually
transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2010. MMWR, 59(RR-12): 1–110. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5912a1.htm?s_cid=rr5912a1_w.
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