Ciprofloxacin in the treatment of gonorrhoea and non-gonococcal urethritis

The treatment of gonococcal infections by quinolones is reviewed. Acrosoxacin is effective, but side effects are relatively common. Ciprofloxacin is effective in single dosage against urogenital gonococcal infections, and probably also against rectal and pharyngeal infections. It is effective against infections by penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In vitro, ciprofloxacin is active against Chlamydia trachomatis, and preliminary results indicate that this drug may be of value in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis and chlamydial infection. No major side effects of ciprofloxacin therapy in patients with these infections have been reported.