Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia infection of the genitals is the most frequently reported infectious disease in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If the disease is diagnosed, it can usually be completely cured. Several different antibiotics are available to treat chlamydia, including a class of drugs known as cephalosporins.
Cephalosporins and Chlamydia
Cephalosporins are a class of drugs that fall under the family of beta-lactam drugs, which also includes well-known antibiotics such as penicillin. Cephalosporins kill bacteria by inhibiting enzymes that are involved in making the cell wall, explains the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
Pharmacists classify cephalosporins into different generations based on the variety of bacteria they can kill. A few of the "third-generation" cephalosporins, including ceftriaxone and cefoperazone, are able to kill the chlamydia bacteria, although they are not as effective as other beta-lactam antibiotics, such as mecillinam, reports a study published in the "Journal of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy."
Use of Cephalosporins
Because cephalosporins are less effective in treating chlamydia than other available drugs, they are not usually the first choice for treatment. The recommended treatment for adults with a chlamydia infection are the drugs azithromycin or doxycycline, the CDC says. Alternative treatments include erythromycin, ofloxacin or levofloxacin.
Cephalosporins for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
Cephalosporins are commonly used to treat patietns diagnosed for suspected coinfection of chlamydia and gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is another sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause similar symptoms, so doctors might prescribe medications for both infections at the same time. Two third-generation cephalosphorins, ceftriaxone and cefixime, are the recommended treatment for cases of gonorrhea when chlamydia infection has not been ruled out, according to the CDC.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2006
- "Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy": In Vitro Activity of a Group of Broad-Spectrum Cephalosporins and Other Beta-Lactam Antibiotics Against Chlamydia Trachomatis; Margaret R. Hammerschlag and Aida Gleyzer; March 1983
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Beta-Lactams
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Updated Recommended Treatment Regimens for Gonococcal Infections and Associated Conditions
