SINGLE-DOSE ORAL TEMAFLOXACIN VERSUS PARENTERAL CEFTRIAXONE IN THE TREATMENT OF GONOCOCCAL URETHRITIS CERVICITIS

Temafloxacin is an oral fluoroquinolone with potent in vitro activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The efficacy and safety of a single dose of temafloxacin were compared with ceftriaxone, the current treatment of choice for gonorrhea, in a randomized, multicenter study. A total of 421 patients with uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis or cervicitis were randomly assigned to receive a single oral dose of temafloxacin 200 mg (n = 63) or 400 mg (n = 175), or a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone 250 mg (n = 183). In evaluable patients, bacteriologic cure rates were > 99% for both temafloxacin and ceftriaxone recipients. Corresponding clinical cure rates were 93.6% and 94.6%, respectively. Both regimens were well tolerated. A single oral dose of temafloxacin appears to be as safe and effective as injectable ceftriaxone in the treatment of uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis or cervicitis.