Cefaclor and cefamandole as alternatives to spectinomycin in the treatment of men with uncomplicated gonorrhoea

Between 25 December 1981 and 11 March 1982, 400 men with uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis were randomly assigned to one of four treatment regimens: spectinomycin 2 g intramuscularly (group A); cefamandole 1 g intramuscularly after probenecid 1 g orally (group B); cefaclor 3 g orally with probenecid 1 g orally (group C); and cefaclor 3 g orally (group D). The cure rates were 91 of 92 (98.9%) in group A, 68 of 96 (70.8%) in group B, 88 of 92 (95.8%) in group C, and 86 of 96 (89.6%) in group D. Cefaclor at a dose of 3 g given orally with 1 g probenecid appears to be an effective alternative to spectinomycin 2 g in the treatment of gonorrhoea in areas where strains of penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) are prevalent.