Gonorrhoea treatment pack

Description

What Is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium) is a sexually transmitted infection which can be passed on via unprotected sex (not using a condom). This can affect anyone who is sexually active and can be transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex.

It is a very common infection which can cause symptoms in the genitals, rectum and throat. However, if it remains untreated Gonorrhoea can cause very serious complications.

The infection can be cured with the right medication. The first line of treatment recommended is an antibiotic injection followed by a single tablet. The combination of oral antibiotics is an effective treatment but usually recommended as a second line option, as an alternative to the injection.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

In Women

Increased vaginal discharge

Vaginal bleeding between periods

Painful or burning sensation when passing urine

In Men

Burning sensation when passing urine

White, yellow or green discharge from the penis

Painful or swollen testicles (less common)

How do I treat gonorrhoea?

The antibiotic treatment consists of a total of SIX tablets (two different antibiotics) that you should be taken together as a single dose:

The course is a single dose of TWO tablets of Suprax (cefixime) and FOUR azithromycin. The combination of the two antibiotics provides the most effective treatment for the infection. Do not chew or crush the tablets, they should be swallowed whole and taken with water.

On occasion, chlamydia infection may also be present which will be treated at the same time as the course contains azithromycin which treats chlamydia.

Symptoms may start to improve within a few days, however it can take up to two weeks for all symptoms to completely resolve.

Side Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects.

Although not everybody gets them and the effects are usually mild to moderate and of a short duration

Common Side-Effects Include

• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain/discomfort
• Nausea

Patient Information Leaflet

We strongly advise that you carefully read the Patient Information Leaflet before you take this treatment.

For more information about Suprax please visit:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5534.pdf

For more information about azithromycin please visit:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3034.pdf