Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To compare the efficacy and safety of azithromycin and doxycycline in the treatment of males with uncomplicated urethritis caused by chlamydia trachomatis. DESIGN--A multicentre, double-blind, randomised treatment study. SUBJECTS--130 male outpatients with clinical signs and symptoms of urethritis. SETTING--STD clinics at four Norwegian University Hospitals. METHODS--Patients were randomly allocated to 1000 mg azithromycin as single dose or doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days. Clinical, bacteriological and safety assessments were made at entry and after 1 and 2 weeks. Safety data were also repeated after 4 weeks. RESULTS--Demographic data were similar in both groups. At the week 1 assessment bacteriological eradication was achieved in 44 of 44 evaluable azithromycintreated patients and in 42 of 42 in the doxycycline group. At the week 2 assessment the corresponding figures were 35 of 35 and 34 of 34 respectively. CONCLUSION--Azithromycin 1000 mg single dose was as effective as doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days in male patients with chlamydial urethritis.