Types of Medication for Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can affect both men and women. It is typically caused by bacteria and is one of the most common types of STDs in the United States.

Most people do not experience any symptoms, so there is a high chance that the person could spread it easily to their sexual partners. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious complications such as:

• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Fatal ectopic pregnancy
• Infection of the epididymis and rectum in men
• Urethral infection

Antibiotics are the only choice of drugs for treating chlamydia as it is a bacterial infection. Some of the commonly prescribed antibiotics for chlamydia include:

• Azithromycin
• Doxycycline
• Tetracycline
• Erythromycin
• Ofloxacin

These medicines would take up to seven days to clear the infection. Do not resume sexual activity during these seven days.

The best medication may differ for different people. Doctors recommend doxycycline for treating chlamydia in adolescents and adults, erythromycin for treating infants and neonates, and azithromycin for treating pregnant women.

Common side effects of antibiotics include:

• Slightly upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Vaginal yeast infection

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is important to treat chlamydial infection during pregnancy to avoid passing the infection to the fetus. Doxycycline is usually avoided during the second and third trimesters due to the risk of tooth discoloration. Erythromycin can cause gastrointestinal side effects in pregnant women, so they are no longer recommended. Azithromycin is the choice of drug for treating chlamydial infection in pregnant women. Doxycycline may be given as an alternative as an animal study has reported that doxycycline may be less effective in clearing the bacteria.

Never drink alcohol while taking doxycycline as it can lead to stomach upset and other gastrointestinal effects. Avoid alcohol while taking erythromycin as it can lead to serious interactions between the two. Alcohol can lower your immune system and can leave you dehydrated, which can lead to poor healing. Therefore, it is best to avoid or minimize the use of alcohol while taking antibiotics to get maximum effectiveness from the drug.