Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPrescriptionsTreating Sex PartnersTreatment of NewbornsFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Prescriptions

Treating Sex Partners

Treatment of Newborns

Frequently Asked Questions

In the past, apenicillin shotwas all that was needed to cure gonorrhea. But, high rates of infection coupled with the overuse of penicillin led to widespread antibiotic resistance. Oral antibiotics once used on their own to treat gonorrhea were also met with high levels of resistance, in part because many people failed to complete the course of treatment.

Today, the goal of gonorrhea treatment is to hit the infection hard and fast—ideally with a single dose—so that the bacteria are completely eradicated and don’t have the chance to mutate and become resistant.

There are no home remedies, over-the-counter medications, or complementary or alternative therapies able to treat a gonorrhea infection.

Ceftriaxone is the antibiotic most capable of treating gonorrhea on its own. Others may be used either on their own or along with a single oral dose of azithromycin.

Signs, Symptoms, and Complications of Gonorrhea

The CDC recommends that men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) who have had a bacterial STI (specifically syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea) diagnosed in the past 12 months or who have had condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex should receive counseling from a healthcare provider that doxy PEP can be used as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent these infections. Oral doxycycline is taken once within 72 hours of condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

Uncomplicated Gonorrhea

Other antibiotics, used either alone or in combination, may be prescribed if you are allergic to ceftriaxone or the drug is unavailable.

The dosages are described in milligrams (mg) or grams (g).

Disseminated Gonorrhea

In rare cases,meningitis(inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord) andendocarditis(inflammation of the heart valves) can develop if gonorrhea is left untreated.

If diagnosed with DGI, you will need to be hospitalized for treatment. The duration of treatment depends on the type of complication you have.

Treatment of Sexual Partners

People diagnosed with gonorrhea should be tested for a related STI calledchlamydia. If chlamydia is diagnosed (or cannot be excluded), the CDC recommends additional treatment with azithromycin or the oral antibiotic drug doxycycline.

Sex partners also need to be contacted, tested, and provided treatment. In certain cases, a partner may be treated without undergoing testing. This is a precautionary measure that not only protects their health but may also prevent the spread of infection.

After treatment is completed, you do not need to undergo further testing to see if the infection has cleared. The only exception is gonorrhea of the throat, which is far more difficult to treat.

CDC Recommendations

If you are diagnosed with gonorrhea during pregnancy, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent passing the infection to the developing fetus. The treatment is the same whether you are pregnant or not and poses no harm to the fetus.

ConditionRecommendationNo symptomsCeftriaxone 20–50 mg per kg body weight delivered either intramuscularly or intravenously in a single doseGonococcal conjunctivitisCeftriaxone 25–50 mg per kg body weight delivered either intramuscularly or intravenously in a single doseDGI without meningitisCeftriaxone 25–50 mg per kg body weight delivered either intramuscularly or intravenously for seven days OR cefotaxime 25 mg per kg delivered either intramuscularly or intravenously every 12 hours for seven daysDGI with meningitisCeftriaxone 25–50 mg per kg body weight delivered either intramuscularly or intravenously for 10 to 14 days OR cefotaxime 25 mg per kg delivered either intramuscularly or intravenously every 12 hours for 10 to 14 daysSummaryGonorrhea is typically treated with a single intramuscular injection of the antibiotic drug ceftriaxone. Other antibiotics may be used alone or in combination if you are allergic to ceftriaxone or the drug is unavailable. Sexual partners should also be treated.People with complications of gonorrhea, including newborns, may require intravenous ceftriaxone (or a related antibiotic called cefotaxime) delivered in a hospital.A Word From VerywellIt is important to note that not everyone with gonorrhea has symptoms. This is especially true of people with vaginas and people who engage inanal sex.It is for this reason that the CDC recommends annual gonorrhea and chlamydia testing for all sexually active females under 25. Those 25 and older with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner with an STI should also be tested annually.The CDC also recommends annual gonorrhea, chlamydia,syphilis, andHIVtesting for sexually activemen who have sex with men (MSM). Those with multiple or anonymous sex partners should be tested every three to six months.Frequently Asked QuestionsIn many cases, gonorrhea does not cause any visible symptoms. However, when it does cause symptoms, they may include discharge from the penis or vagina and pain while urinating.Gonorrhea is very common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1.6 million new cases occurred in 2018 in the United States.Untreated gonorrhea can causepelvic inflammatory disease (PID)in people with vaginas, which can lead to infertility. It can causeepididymitisand lead to infertility in people with penises. PID can lead to disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), with bodywide spread of infection affecting multiple organs.

Summary

Gonorrhea is typically treated with a single intramuscular injection of the antibiotic drug ceftriaxone. Other antibiotics may be used alone or in combination if you are allergic to ceftriaxone or the drug is unavailable. Sexual partners should also be treated.

People with complications of gonorrhea, including newborns, may require intravenous ceftriaxone (or a related antibiotic called cefotaxime) delivered in a hospital.

A Word From Verywell

It is important to note that not everyone with gonorrhea has symptoms. This is especially true of people with vaginas and people who engage inanal sex.

It is for this reason that the CDC recommends annual gonorrhea and chlamydia testing for all sexually active females under 25. Those 25 and older with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner with an STI should also be tested annually.

The CDC also recommends annual gonorrhea, chlamydia,syphilis, andHIVtesting for sexually activemen who have sex with men (MSM). Those with multiple or anonymous sex partners should be tested every three to six months.

Frequently Asked QuestionsIn many cases, gonorrhea does not cause any visible symptoms. However, when it does cause symptoms, they may include discharge from the penis or vagina and pain while urinating.Gonorrhea is very common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1.6 million new cases occurred in 2018 in the United States.Untreated gonorrhea can causepelvic inflammatory disease (PID)in people with vaginas, which can lead to infertility. It can causeepididymitisand lead to infertility in people with penises. PID can lead to disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), with bodywide spread of infection affecting multiple organs.

In many cases, gonorrhea does not cause any visible symptoms. However, when it does cause symptoms, they may include discharge from the penis or vagina and pain while urinating.

Gonorrhea is very common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1.6 million new cases occurred in 2018 in the United States.

Untreated gonorrhea can causepelvic inflammatory disease (PID)in people with vaginas, which can lead to infertility. It can causeepididymitisand lead to infertility in people with penises. PID can lead to disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), with bodywide spread of infection affecting multiple organs.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.Tshokey T, Tshering T, Pradhan AR, et al.Antibiotic resistance inNeisseria gonorrhoeaand treatment outcomes of gonococcal urethritis suspected patients in two large hospitals in Bhutan.PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0201721. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201721Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Update to CDC’s treatment guidelines for gonococcal infection.MMWR Morbidity Mortality Weekly Rep. 2020 Dec;69(50);1911–6.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.Yoshino Y, Abe M, Seo K, Koga I, Kitazawa T, Ota Y.Multifocal cellulitis due to disseminated Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a male patient.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(3):215–217. doi:10.14740/jocmr1732wWorkowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonococcal infections among adolescents and adults.Moore DL, MacDonald NE; Canadian Paediatric Society, Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee.Preventing ophthalmia neonatorum.Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2015;26(3):122–125. doi:10.1155/2015/720726Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.Mayo Clinic.Gonorrhea.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Drug-resistant gonorrhea.

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.Tshokey T, Tshering T, Pradhan AR, et al.Antibiotic resistance inNeisseria gonorrhoeaand treatment outcomes of gonococcal urethritis suspected patients in two large hospitals in Bhutan.PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0201721. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201721Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Update to CDC’s treatment guidelines for gonococcal infection.MMWR Morbidity Mortality Weekly Rep. 2020 Dec;69(50);1911–6.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.Yoshino Y, Abe M, Seo K, Koga I, Kitazawa T, Ota Y.Multifocal cellulitis due to disseminated Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a male patient.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(3):215–217. doi:10.14740/jocmr1732wWorkowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonococcal infections among adolescents and adults.Moore DL, MacDonald NE; Canadian Paediatric Society, Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee.Preventing ophthalmia neonatorum.Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2015;26(3):122–125. doi:10.1155/2015/720726Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.Mayo Clinic.Gonorrhea.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Drug-resistant gonorrhea.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.Tshokey T, Tshering T, Pradhan AR, et al.Antibiotic resistance inNeisseria gonorrhoeaand treatment outcomes of gonococcal urethritis suspected patients in two large hospitals in Bhutan.PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0201721. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201721Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Update to CDC’s treatment guidelines for gonococcal infection.MMWR Morbidity Mortality Weekly Rep. 2020 Dec;69(50);1911–6.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.Yoshino Y, Abe M, Seo K, Koga I, Kitazawa T, Ota Y.Multifocal cellulitis due to disseminated Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a male patient.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(3):215–217. doi:10.14740/jocmr1732wWorkowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonococcal infections among adolescents and adults.Moore DL, MacDonald NE; Canadian Paediatric Society, Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee.Preventing ophthalmia neonatorum.Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2015;26(3):122–125. doi:10.1155/2015/720726Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.Mayo Clinic.Gonorrhea.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.

Tshokey T, Tshering T, Pradhan AR, et al.Antibiotic resistance inNeisseria gonorrhoeaand treatment outcomes of gonococcal urethritis suspected patients in two large hospitals in Bhutan.PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0201721. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201721

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Update to CDC’s treatment guidelines for gonococcal infection.MMWR Morbidity Mortality Weekly Rep. 2020 Dec;69(50);1911–6.

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.

Yoshino Y, Abe M, Seo K, Koga I, Kitazawa T, Ota Y.Multifocal cellulitis due to disseminated Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a male patient.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(3):215–217. doi:10.14740/jocmr1732w

Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonococcal infections among adolescents and adults.

Moore DL, MacDonald NE; Canadian Paediatric Society, Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee.Preventing ophthalmia neonatorum.Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2015;26(3):122–125. doi:10.1155/2015/720726

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.

Mayo Clinic.Gonorrhea.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Drug-resistant gonorrhea.

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