Will moxifloxacin clear gonorrhea and chlamydia?

[medsrus]

About a week ago, I started experiencing some occassional stinging / burning in my urethra, itching on anus, and pain/tenderness in the epididymis.  It's possible that I was exposed to both gon. and chl. during an anonymous sexual encounter that I had.  This was exclusively oral sex involving mouth, penis, and anus.  No discharge, rashes, or sores that I can discern.



I have been diagnosed in the past with chronic prostatitis, for which antibiotics sometimes help.  My symptoms aren't that different from a bout of this condition, with the exception of the anal itching.



I had ten 400 mg. doses of moxifloxacin on hand (samples from a trip to Dr. last year) so I began taking one per day, and have taken six of the ten.  I plan to take the remaining four.



All symptoms are better, but not completely gone.



My question is, assuming that I had contracted gon. or chl. or both, should this course of Avelox be sufficient as treatment?





Thanks tremendously for your valuable contribution to public health.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The symptoms you describe are not typical for any STD, but it is conceivable the urethral burning/stinging were due to gonorrhea.  Chlamydia isn't realistic; it doesn't often cause oral infection and is not known to be acquired by oral contact.  "Pain/tenderniss in the epididymis" doesn't sound like anything, unless there was overt swelling of the testicle and exquisite tenderness to touch.  It's more likely your symptoms are due entirely to recurrent or persistent prostate inflammation.



Moxifloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic, like ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and others.  Gonorrhea resistant to the quinolones is spreading rapidly, especially in gay men. (You don't say the sex of your partner, so I don't know your orientation.)  However, many strains remain susceptible.  But I doubt you have gonorrhea, so it's probably not relevant.  Some quinolones are active against chlamydia, others not--but as I said, chlamydia isn't an issue.



If your symptoms go away and stay away, just forget the whole thing.  If they persist or recur, see a provider before you repeat unsupervised treatment.



Thanks the thanks. Best wishes--  HHH, MD