For treating Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which antibiotic is typically prescribed?

Ceftriaxone is the preferred treatment for Neisseria gonorrhoeae due to its effectiveness as a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, which is critical for the survival of bacteria. Neisseria gonorrhoeae has a history of developing resistance, making it essential to choose an antibiotic that is both potent and has a reliable efficacy profile against this organism. Ceftriaxone is administered via intramuscular injection, providing a high concentration at the site of infection, which is particularly useful in treating gonorrhea.

While azithromycin is often used in combination therapies for cervicitis or pelvic inflammatory disease and can provide coverage for Chlamydia trachomatis, it has not been the first line for gonorrhea alone due to increasing resistance patterns. Doxycycline and erythromycin are typically indicated for other infections and do not provide the same efficacy against gonorrhea as ceftriaxone. Therefore, ceftriaxone is the recommended choice for treating uncomplicated gonorrhea infections.