Two-day trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment of pharyngeal gonorrhea

The efficacy of three different regimens of oral medication for pharyngeal gonorrhea was examined in a study of 119 patients. Of 34 patients treated with 1.4 g of pivampicillin plus 1.0 g of probenecid, both taken once a day for five days, 33 (97.1%) were cured. The other two regimens consisted of tablets containing sulfamethoxazole (400 mg) and trimethoprim (80 mg). Of 36 patients treated with a single ten-tablet dose on the first day, two five-tablet doses on the second day, and two three-tablet doses for the next three to five days, 35 (97.2%) were cured. Of 49 patients treated with a single ten-tablet dose on the first day and two five-tablet doses on the second day, 44 (89.8%) were cured. The cure rates for the three regimens were not significantly different (P greater than 0.05). Therefore, we conclude that a two-day trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole regimen is quick, inexpensive, and reliable in the treatment of pharyngeal gonorrhea.