Single-dose oral temafloxacin versus parenteral ceftriaxone in the treatment of gonococcal urethritis/cervicitis.

Temafloxacin is an oral fluoroquinolone with potent in vitro activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The efficacy and safety of a single dose of temafloxacin were compared with ceftriaxone, the current treatment of choice for gonorrhea, in a randomized, multicenter study. A total of 421 patients with uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis or cervicitis were randomly assigned to receive a single oral dose of temafloxacin 200 mg (n = 63) or 400 mg (n = 175), or a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone 250 mg (n = 183). In evaluable patients, bacteriologic cure rates were greater than 99% for both temafloxacin and ceftriaxone recipients. Corresponding clinical cure rates were 93.6% and 94.6%, respectively. Both regimens were well tolerated. A single oral dose of temafloxacin appears to be as safe and effective as injectable ceftriaxone in the treatment of uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis or cervicitis.