Clinical trial of pivampicillin hydrochloride (alphacillin) in gonorrhoea

Pivampicillin, a new derivative of ampicillin, which has been found to give higher blood levels than corresponding doses of oral ampicillin has been tried in the treatment of 40 consecutive cases of uncomplicated gonorrhoea. 37 (92.5%) patients had bacteriological cure while the combined bacteriological and clinical curate rate was 85%. Few minor adverse reactions were recorded during therapy. It is concluded that pivampicillin is effective in the treatment of gonorrhoea but its efficacy could be further enhanced by the addition of probenecid. The economic importance and convenience of the single dose therapy, particularly in developing countries are briefly discussed.