Medicine Combinations to Treat Both Syphilis and Chancroid

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HealthWiki > New Where There Is No Doctor > Sexually Transmitted Infections > Medicine Combinations to Treat Both Syphilis and Chancroid

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Sexually Transmitted Infections: Medicines

 

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Medicines

It is not always possible to tell the difference between chancroid and syphilis. If you are not sure whether the person has one or the other or both, it is best to treat both at the same time. Choose 1 medicine from each box. For each section, the best choices are listed first and in order of next best after that. For example, the best combination is benzathine penicillin and azithromycin. If using erythromycin to treat syphilis, don’t use azithromycin or erythromycin for chancroid.

Medicine to treat syphilis. Use one.	How much to give	How to use
benzathine penicillin (safe during pregnancy)	2.4 million Units	inject into muscle, one time only
or doxycycline (do not use doxycycline if you are pregnant and avoid use if you are breastfeeding)	100 mg	by mouth, 2 times a day for 14 days
or erythromycin (Only use this if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and allergic to penicillin. It will treat syphilis in the mother, but after the birth the baby will need additional treatment)	500 mg	by mouth, 4 times a day for 15 days
AND
Medicine to treat chancroid. Use one.	How much to give	How to use
azithromycin	1 gram (1000 mg)	by mouth, one time only
or ceftriaxone	250 mg	inject into muscle, one time only
or ciprofloxacin (do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding or under age 16)	500 mg	by mouth, 2 times a day for 3 days
or erythromycin	500 mg	by mouth, 4 times a day for 7 days

This page was updated:05 Jan 2024