Medication Summary
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to eradicate the infection, to reduce morbidity, and to prevent complications.
Antibiotics
Class Summary
Benzathine penicillin is the drug of choice but should not be administered to patients who are allergic to penicillin. Alternative therapies include tetracycline or erythromycin.
Penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin LA)
Interferes with cell wall synthesis during active multiplication, resulting in bactericidal activity against susceptible microorganisms. Should not be administered to patients who are allergic to penicillin.
Azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax)
Inhibits bacterial growth, possibly by blocking dissociation of peptidyl tRNA from ribosomes causing RNA-dependent protein synthesis to arrest. Dosing is usually 30 mg/kg single dose (max dose of 2 g).
Tetracycline (Achromycin, Sumycin)
Alternative to benzathine penicillin for patients who are allergic to penicillin. Treats gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, as well as mycoplasmal, chlamydial, and rickettsial infections. Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding with 30S and possibly 50S ribosomal subunit(s).
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Erythematosquamous plaque of early pinta. Perine PL, Hopkins DR, Niemel PLA, et al. Handbook of Endemic Treponematoses: Yaws, Endemic Syphilis, and Pinta. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1984.
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Violaceous psoriatic plaque of early pinta. Perine PL, Hopkins DR, Niemel PLA, et al. Handbook of Endemic Treponematoses: Yaws, Endemic Syphilis, and Pinta. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1984.
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Late pigmented pinta (blue variety). Perine PL, Hopkins DR, Niemel PLA, et al. Handbook of Endemic Treponematoses: Yaws, Endemic Syphilis, and Pinta. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1984.
