Demethylchlortetracycline therapy in acute gonococcal urethritis

Abstract

In 232 male military personnel with acute gonococcal urethritis, 100 per cent cure rates followed oral demethylchlortetracycline after an initial dose of 900 mg. plus 150 mg. 4 times daily for 5 days (60 patients); 90 per cent cure rates after 900 mg. plus 150 mg. 4 times daily for 3 days (60 patients); and 64 per cent cure rates after a single dose of 900 mg. (113 patients). The incidence of adverse effects with these dosage regimens was 21.6,15.0, and 23.0 per cent, respectively. The effects consisted of mild gastrointestinal disturbances, developing usually within a few hours after the 900 mg. dose. The possible reasons for the relatively poorer results with a single 900 mg. dose than those reported by other investigators may include the varying rates of follow-up and reinfection. Results may also be affected by the type of patients used.

Studies of Venereal Disease

“…This antibiotic, and its cogeners, have been used successfully by others against "penicillin-resistant" gonorrhea in the male. 11 However, some of the previous studies have been weakened because of relatively short follow-up periods, or because gonococcal cultures were not used in diagnosis. Additionally, in most studies the patients have been relied upon to administer the tetracycline to themselves, and the possibility of reinfection was not completely eliminated.…”