Tetracycline in the treatment of uncomplicated male gonorrhea.

A clinical trial was performed to test a loading dose regimen of tetracycline (1.5 gm po sTAT and 0.5 mg po quid for 4 days) against a no-loading dose (0.5 gm po quid for 4 1/2 days) in the treatment of 477 cases of uncomplicated male urogenital gonorrhea. The regimens were equivalent, with an overall cure rate of 96%. A crossover pharmacokinetic study in 10 healthy volunteers demonstrated higher blood levels during the first day on the loading regimen, but equivalence thereafter. Tetracycline, in a total dose of 9.5 gm, is highly effective treatment, and a loading dose is not necessary.