Comparative Efficacy of Cefmenoxime Versus Penicillin in the Treatment of Gonorrhea

A total of 121 men with complicated infections caused by beta-lactamase-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to regimens of either cefmenoxime (1.0 g) or procaine penicillin G (4.8 X 10(6) U) intramuscularly. Only the penicillin group also took 1.0 g of probenecid orally. A total of 99 patients completed the study, providing data from 108 infected sites. In the cefmenoxime group, there were 49 urethral, 1 rectal, and 2 pharyngeal infections; in the penicillin group, there were 49 urethral, 4 rectal, and 3 pharyngeal infections. In the cefmenoxime group, all except one urethral infection were eradicated. This patient admitted having had sexual intercourse during the follow-up period and was considered to be reinfected. In the penicillin group, all except one pharyngeal infection were cured. No adverse reactions were noted in either group. In this study, cefmenoxime was as effective as penicillin in the treatment of gonococcal urethritis in men.