What is the treatment of choice when gonococcal urethritis is diagnosed?

The treatment of choice for gonococcal urethritis is ceftriaxone, which is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. This medication is specifically effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea. Ceftriaxone is often used because it has a broad spectrum of activity, excellent tissue penetration, and an ability to treat uncomplicated gonococcal infections effectively.

Ceftriaxone is typically administered as an injection, which allows for immediate therapeutic levels in the body, essential in treating infections to prevent complications. In many clinical guidelines, it is recommended to be given in conjunction with azithromycin to cover possible co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and to address any potential antimicrobial resistance issues.

The other options listed are either not effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae or are not the first-line treatments for this specific infection. For instance, amoxicillin and penicillin G benzathine have limited efficacy against gonococcal infections due to increasing resistance. Doxycycline is also not the first-choice medication for gonococcal urethritis; it is typically used for other infections, such as chlamydia or as an alternative in certain scenarios