Ceftriaxone is preferred over other beta-lactams for gonococcal infections primarily because of its:

• A Superior activity against Neisseria by binding PBP-1
• B Ability to penetrate intracellular locations where gonococci reside
• C Oral bioavailability making outpatient treatment simple
• D Long half-life allowing single-dose treatment and its stability to most beta-lactamases produced by N. gonorrhoeae ✓

Explanation

Ceftriaxone's ~8-hour half-life allows single-dose intramuscular therapy, and it maintains activity against most beta-lactamase-producing strains of N. gonorrhoeae. This is the recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhoea. N. gonorrhoeae is primarily an extracellular pathogen, not intracellular. Ceftriaxone is a parenteral drug with no oral formulation.

Reference: KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.