Which antibiotic is typically added to Gonorrhea treatment if Chlamydia is not excluded?

In the treatment of gonorrhea, it is common practice to also consider the treatment for chlamydia, particularly because these two infections often occur together. The preferred regimen involves cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone, to ensure effective treatment of gonorrhea. However, if there is a suspicion or lack of exclusion of chlamydia, azithromycin is typically added to the combination therapy to cover both infections.

Doxycycline is an effective treatment for chlamydia but is not the standard choice when treating gonorrhea alongside chlamydia in this context. The combination therapy involving azithromycin is favored because it provides a dual approach that both eradicates gonorrhea and successfully treats chlamydia without the need to switch antibiotics, which enhances adherence to treatment. This ensures that patients are adequately treated for both potential infections without delay, addressing the common co-infection scenario that frequently complicates treatment decisions.