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How Effective is Amoxicillin for Chlamydia?

Jessica F. Black
Jessica F. Black

Amoxicillin is one of three antibiotics often prescribed to treat chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, but its effectiveness depends on the individual. Some people discover that they are immune to certain antibiotics or experience negative side effects, and his or her healthcare provider will switch medications. A seven day regimen of amoxicillin for chlamydia is usually prescribed because it works to inhibit the growth of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The severity of the disease may also change which antibiotic a physician prescribes because there are various stages of the disease.

Chlamydia can often be difficult to detect because it doesn't always have symptoms, or the symptoms may be so mild that they go unnoticed. The sufferer may not show any signs of disease until it has advanced, and so a medical professional should be consulted immediately. Women often notice abnormal vaginal discharge and pain during urination, which could be accompanied by a fever. Men usually experience pain during urination and may notice discharge around the tip of the penis.

Amoxicillin is one type of antibiotic used to treat chlamydia.
Amoxicillin is one type of antibiotic used to treat chlamydia.

Treatment usually includes taking antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, retesting once the antibiotic is completed, and refraining from any form of sexual activity until test results are negative. This disease is highly contagious and can be transmitted by various sexual acts as well as from mother to unborn child. Azrithromycin and doxycycline are the other two antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat chlamydia, and the determinant is usually based on the stage of the disease, the individual's medical history, and the prescribing physician.

Amoxicillin must be taken for seven days to treat chlamydia.
Amoxicillin must be taken for seven days to treat chlamydia.

If the disease goes untreated, severe complications can occur, including pelvic inflammatory disease in women and nongonococcal urethritis, a urethra infection, in men. The consequences for untreated pregnant women and their unborn children are much more severe. Children may experience lung problems, blindness, or pneumonia after birth. Pregnant women are the most common group that is prescribed amoxicillin for chlamydia because it is safer than the other aforementioned antibiotics, which are usually not recommended during pregnancy.

Typically, all pregnant women are screened for sexually transmitted diseases in order to prevent spreading them to their developing babies.
Typically, all pregnant women are screened for sexually transmitted diseases in order to prevent spreading them to their developing babies.

Preventatives for this and other sexually transmitted diseases is abstinence, limited sexual partners, safe sex, and frequent check-ups when sexually active. Chlamydia can be present for extended periods of time without any symptoms, which can be dangerous to the infected party as well as his or her sexual partners. All sexual activity should be avoided while a person is being treated for chlamydia because the patient is still contagious. The healthcare provider usually will retest him or her after the completion of the medication in case it was not effective and advise the patient when sexual activity can be resumed.

Discussion Comments

anon1000060

You cannot become "immune" to an antibiotic. You may have an antibiotic resistant strain of the bacteria - but that's a very different thing.

Also, if you are a fat person, as I am, you need a higher dosage. Ask your doctor to adjust the dosage for your weight.

anon994415

Zithromax® Z-pak®(azithromycin) — 500mg on day 1, followed by 1 tab (250mg) once a day for four more days. --Dr. G

anon319642

Try azithromycin. It is very effective.

stoneMason

@feruze-- Yea, I took amoxicillin for chlamydia and it cleared it up just fine. But I took a ten-day course of antibiotics and not seven.

You haven't even finished your course yet, so just wait a few more days and then go back to your doctor. It takes antibiotics at least three days to work, so you need to give it some time.

fBoyle

@feruze--I have taken amoxicillin before, not for treating chlamydia, but for another infection. Amoxicillin didn't clear up my infection and I had to switch to another antibiotic because I had been taken a lot of antibiotics in the past year.

The more someone uses antibiotics, the more immune the body becomes to the antibiotics and its effectiveness decreases. I understand that amoxicillin didn't work for me because of me and not the drug. I'm sure amoxicillin will work well for someone who doesn't use antibiotics often.

So it depends on how much antibiotics you have been taking and also, how serious the infection is.

bear78

I came back from the doctor's office with a chlamydia diagnosis last week. I was prescribed amoxicillin and have been taking it for four days. I'm supposed to take it for three more days and report back to my doctor but I don't think it's working.

My chlamydia symptoms are still there. I still have pain, burning and discharge. Will I have to take another antibiotic or something?

Has anyone here treated chlamydia with amoxicillin effectively?

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    • Amoxicillin is one type of antibiotic used to treat chlamydia.
      By: leungchopan
      Amoxicillin is one type of antibiotic used to treat chlamydia.
    • Amoxicillin must be taken for seven days to treat chlamydia.
      By: ACphoto
      Amoxicillin must be taken for seven days to treat chlamydia.
    • Typically, all pregnant women are screened for sexually transmitted diseases in order to prevent spreading them to their developing babies.
      By: CandyBox Images
      Typically, all pregnant women are screened for sexually transmitted diseases in order to prevent spreading them to their developing babies.
    • Using safe sex practices can help reduce an individual's chances of contracting chlamydia.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Using safe sex practices can help reduce an individual's chances of contracting chlamydia.
    • Newborn babies can contract chlamydia from their untreated mothers during the birthing process.
      By: jamdesign
      Newborn babies can contract chlamydia from their untreated mothers during the birthing process.
    • Urine samples may be ordered to determine if a patient has chlamydia.
      By: Rob Byron
      Urine samples may be ordered to determine if a patient has chlamydia.
    • Women with untreated chlamydia are at risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease.
      By: joshya
      Women with untreated chlamydia are at risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease.