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What are the Different Types of Chlamydia Medication?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

Chlamydia is among the most common of sexually transmitted infections, and there are several types of antibiotic medications available to treat it. The two most popular chlamydia medications are doxycycline and azithromycin, antibiotics that are considered the most effective. Ofloxacin and levofloxacin also are usually successful at eliminating the infection, but they are often more expensive than the top two medications. Pregnant patients usually have to use other options when it comes to chlamydia medication, because one of the most popular treatments, doxycycline, is not considered safe during pregnancy. Thus, pregnant women are more likely to be prescribed erythromycin or amoxicillin.

Doxycycline has long been the preferred chlamydia medication because it has proved to be the most successful at eradicating the disease, according to studies. It is often the least expensive chlamydia medication available, but one of its downsides is that it needs to be taken two times a day for seven days. It is not given to pregnant or breastfeeding patients, because it is not considered safe for unborn babies and infants. Instead, such patients may be offered azithromycin, which is the next most popular drug for chlamydia. Its main benefit is that patients only need to take one dose to fight off the infection, but the downside is that they must wait a week to have intercourse after taking this drug.

Certain chlamydia medications are not safe for pregnant women.
Certain chlamydia medications are not safe for pregnant women.

Ofloxacin is another type of chlamydia medicine, and while it is considered as effective as doxycycline and azithromycin, it is usually more expensive. This is the main reason it is not given out frequently by doctors. Like doxycycline, ofloxacin needs to be taken twice a day for a week and cannot be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Levofloxacin is a similar drug that is sometimes substituted for other chlamydia medications, but it is usually just as expensive as ofloxacin.

Doxycycline is one of the antibiotics that is used to treat chlamydia.
Doxycycline is one of the antibiotics that is used to treat chlamydia.

Azithromycin is just one of the types of chlamydia medication considered safe for use during pregnancy, but there are cheaper options. Doctors may also prescribe the less expensive amoxicillin, though this type of penicillin is rarely given to patients who are not pregnant because it is not as effective as other chlamydia medications. Another option that is cheap and typically effective in pregnant women is erythromycin. It is considered one of the least popular types of chlamydia medication because it needs to be taken four times a day for seven days. Its tendency to cause gastrointestinal problems also adds to its lack of popularity among pregnant patients and doctors.

Discussion Comments

letshearit

For those of you that need chlamydia treatment it is actually a really painless process. All you do is take your medicine and go back to make sure your infection is gone. You can repeat your treatment for chlamydia if you still have it after the first round of medication.

The only thing I found a bit concerning about the whole treatment process is that I was required to contact all of my previous partners in the event that I had passed the infection on to them. It was quite embarrassing to be honest, but it is nearly impossible to tell where you picked up something like chlamydia if you have had multiple partners.

popcorn

@animegal - You should go to your doctor or a public clinic and get a full STD checkup if you are worried that you caught something from your boyfriend. Chlamydia in women is really common and you would be surprised at how many people catch it and don't even know during their sexually active years.

As far as symptoms go, if you do have chlamydia you might have more vaginal discharge, you may need to urinate more, there could be pain when you pee and you might feel sore during sex. You can also have lower abdominal pains, an irregular period or bleeding after sex. Some people show no signs though, so you really need to get checked out.

animegal

Does anyone know what some of the chlamydia symptoms are?

I am really upset as I just found out my boyfriend has been fooling around behind my back and am really worried that I might have caught a STD from his risky behavior. I know that there are all sorts of STDs such as gonorrhea and AIDS, but I heard a rumor that one of the girls he was seeing had chlamydia. I am not sure if it was just gossip or that the information had a grain of truth in it. Now I am really worried that I might show the symptoms of chlamydia and will need medication.

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    • Certain chlamydia medications are not safe for pregnant women.
      By: yanlev
      Certain chlamydia medications are not safe for pregnant women.
    • Doxycycline is one of the antibiotics that is used to treat chlamydia.
      By: ACphoto
      Doxycycline is one of the antibiotics that is used to treat chlamydia.
    • Amoxicillin is often prescribed for chlamydia in pregnant women.
      By: Oleksii Nykonchuk
      Amoxicillin is often prescribed for chlamydia in pregnant women.
    • Often times, the medication prescribed for treating chlamydia in pregnant women is not as effective at treating the infection as other antibiotics.
      By: Joanna Zielinska
      Often times, the medication prescribed for treating chlamydia in pregnant women is not as effective at treating the infection as other antibiotics.