Trial of Zithromax versus Penicillin G

The spirochete that causes syphilis is similar to the one that causes Lyme Disease in so many ways that it is imperative to keep track of the research on syphilis.

Because of the multiple overlapping symptoms, following syphilis research is no different than keeping track of the research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lyme, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, and Fibromyalgia. It would be short-sighted and foolish not to do so.

Syphilis remains an important source of illness and its horrible consequences worldwide. Long-acting penicillin is the only therapy currently recommended for syphilis in much of the world. Because of the hesitation in using penicillin for fear of anaphylaxis (an acute multi-system severe type I hypersensitivity reaction), there is a need for an effective, well-tolerated alternative to penicillin for syphilis therapy.


This newly published study from the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Infectious Disease, shows the merits in using azithromycin(Zithromax) 2 Grams orally versus benzathine penicillin G at a dosage of 2.4 million units IM in a one time dose in newly diagnosed syphilis proved to be as effective without the risk of anaphylaxis. The researchers of this study were in, wait for it...: Alabama.

The spectrum of the Tuskegee Experiment with syphilis roused me from my daydream.

However, in this trial, the efficacy of azithromycin at a dosage of 2Grams administered orally was equivalent to that of benzathine penicillin G at 2.4 million units IM for the treatment of early syphilis in persons without HIV infection. At follow-up six months after this one-time dose, serological cure was observed in 180 (77.6%) of 232 azithromycin recipients and 186 (78.5%) of 237 penicillin recipients.

While this was simply peer-reviewed research on using a one-time dose and we are never prescribed such a lone dose, the implications for people with Lyme Disease should be evaluated by your doctor, especially if he/she prefers prescribing penicillin IM.

Now you have a study that may keep you from having to endure deep-muscle injections and the danger of anaphylactic shock. You can now show your doctor proof that azithromycin (Zithromax) may be as effective as Penicillin G IM.