Treatment of syphilis: a short critical review.

Four decades of treatment of syphilis with penicillin confirm the absolute superiority of this drug in all stages of the disease. Various long-acting repository preparations (particularly benzathine penicillin G) are used in treatment of early and late syphilis, and even for prophylactic treatment, with satisfactory results. Treatment schedules and follow-up criteria for examination and indications for retreatment vary little among various authors and countries. Adverse reactions to penicillin, in particular the allergic reactions, make alternative treatment with other antibiotics (tetracyclines, erythromycin, etc) sometimes necessary.