From the Guidelines
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) is not the preferred treatment for Chlamydia, and Azithromycin or Doxycycline are the recommended first-line treatments. According to the most recent study 1, the recommended treatment for Chlamydia is Azithromycin 1 g orally, single dose, or Doxycycline 100 mg orally, twice a day for 7 days. Ceftriaxone is more commonly used to treat gonorrhea, which often co-occurs with Chlamydia, and is recommended for children who weigh ≤45 kg with gonococcal conjunctivitis, at a dose of 25–50 mg/kg body weight intravenous or IM, single dose, not to exceed 250 mg IM.
Key Points to Consider
- The treatment of Chlamydia should prioritize Azithromycin or Doxycycline to minimize morbidity, mortality, and improve quality of life.
- Ceftriaxone is not the preferred treatment for Chlamydia, but it may be used in certain cases, such as gonococcal conjunctivitis in children.
- It is essential to get tested and receive the appropriate treatment from a healthcare provider, as untreated Chlamydia can lead to serious complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
Treatment Options
- Azithromycin 1 g orally, single dose
- Doxycycline 100 mg orally, twice a day for 7 days
- Ceftriaxone may be used in certain cases, such as gonococcal conjunctivitis in children, at a dose of 25–50 mg/kg body weight intravenous or IM, single dose, not to exceed 250 mg IM, as recommended by 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
If Chlamydia trachomatis is a suspected pathogen, appropriate antichlamydial coverage should be added, because ceftriaxone sodium has no activity against this organism
- Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) has no activity against Chlamydia trachomatis
- It is not recommended for the treatment of Chlamydia infections, and alternative antibiotics with antichlamydial coverage should be used instead 2
From the Research
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) and Chlamydia Treatment
- Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin effective against various bacterial infections, including gonorrhea 3.
- However, it is not effective against Chlamydia trachomatis infections 3.
- Studies have shown that ceftriaxone can be used to treat gonococcal infections, but it does not treat concurrent Chlamydia infections 4, 5, 6.
- In cases where Chlamydia infection is suspected or confirmed, additional treatment with doxycycline or azithromycin is recommended 4, 5, 6.
- Ceftriaxone's efficacy in treating gonorrhea does not extend to Chlamydia, and separate treatment is necessary for the latter 7, 3.
Treatment Recommendations
- For uncomplicated gonococcal infections, a single 500 mg IM dose of ceftriaxone is recommended 4, 5.
- If Chlamydia infection is not excluded, concurrent treatment with doxycycline (100 mg orally twice a day for 7 days) is advised 4, 5.
- Ceftriaxone should not be relied upon to treat Chlamydia infections, and specific anti-Chlamydia treatment should be administered separately 3.