Treating Chlamydia: An Overview
Treatment for
chlamydia involves antibiotics, either a single dose of
azithromycin (
Zithromax®) or a week of
doxycycline (twice daily). Or, you might get a prescription for another antibiotic, such as erythromycin or ofloxacin.
Treatment with antibiotics generally cures the chlamydial infection.
HIV-positive people with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.
Healthcare providers may treat pregnant women with azithromycin or erythromycin or, sometimes, with
amoxicillin. Penicillin, which healthcare providers often use to treat other sexually transmitted disease (STDs), won't cure chlamydial infections.
If you have chlamydia, you should:
- Take all your medicine for the amount of time prescribed, even if symptoms have disappeared
- Go to your healthcare provider again if your chlamydia symptoms do not disappear within one to two weeks after finishing the medicine
- Tell your sex partners that you have the disease so that they can be tested and treated, if necessary
- Not have sexual intercourse until your treatment is completed and successful.