Can You Get Antibiotics For Chlamydia Over The Counter
No, you cannot get antibiotics for chlamydia treatment over the counter.
The first line of treatment for chlamydia is a prescription antibiotic called azithromycin. Those who are allergic to azithromycin will likely be prescribed another common antibiotic called doxycycline.
Azithromycin and doxycycline are both prescription medications and are not available over the counter. Because they have side effects and certain contraindications with other medications and medical conditions it is crucial that you meet with a doctor to ensure they are safe for you to take.
How To Prevent Chlamydia
Below are some ways to prevent chlamydia
- Use condoms every time you have sex
- Discuss testing for sexually transmitted infections with your doctor or nurse
- Ask if you are due for your annual chlamydia screening
- See your doctor or nurse if you have any symptoms of chlamydia or another infection
- Do not have sex if you or your sexual partner has abnormal discharge, burning with urination, or a genital rash or sore
Will I Need To Go Back To The Clinic
If you take your antibiotics correctly, you may not need to return to the clinic.
However, you will be advised to go back for another chlamydia test if:
- you had sex before you and your partner finished treatment
- you forgot to take your medication or didnt take it properly
- your symptoms dont go away
- youre pregnant
If youre under 25 years of age, you should be offered a repeat test for chlamydia 3 to 6 months after finishing your treatment because youre at a higher risk of catching it again.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Chlamydia
- pain from the end part of your penis
- discharge from your penis or bottom
- burning pain when you pass urine
- painful or swollen testicles
- discharge from your vagina
- burning pain when passing urine
- pain or discomfort in your lower tummy after sex
- spotting or bleeding in between your usual monthly periods
- bleeding after having sex
How Does The Nhs Provide Treatment For Chlamydia
Treatment is available on the NHS at either GP surgeries or sexual health clinics. Chlamydia is easily treated and cured with antibiotics like doxycycline . If you take your treatment correctly, it is over 95% effective for genital chlamydia.
Does it take long to get an appointment? it depends on how busy the clinics or surgeries are. Some clinics also have a walk-in service where you dont have to make an appointment before.
Do I need to pay for tests or treatment on the NHS? no, all tests and treatment are free through the NHS services and the National Chlamydia Screening Programme . You may have to pay a prescription charge fee if you need a prescription for treatment from your GP practice.
Once you take treatment you should notice an improvement in any symptoms quite quickly. Any discharge or pain when you urinate should disappear within a week and any pain in your pelvis or testicles should disappear within two weeks. If your symptoms do not improve despite treatment, then speak to your doctor. You may need further treatment or investigation about any possible cause.
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Can I Take Them With Other Medications
Antibiotic medicines can sometimes have an effect on the performance of other treatments, so it is vital to inform your doctor if you are currently using other treatments, or have done so in the recent past. For more detailed information, ask your prescriber or consult the patient information leaflet provided with the medicine.
Early Treatment Is The Key
When its diagnosed at an early stage, chlamydia can be treated quickly and effectively. But if the infection is left untreated, it can cause the following complications:
- In women it can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which can lead to infertility
- It can cause reactive arthritis
- If youre pregnant and have chlamydia it can cause a miscarriage or premature birth. There is also a risk of passing the infection to the newborn baby during delivery, which can cause a severe infection
If youre concerned that you may be infected, it is important that you dont just wait around, but get tested right away. If you feel embarrassed or if STIs are something youd rather not discuss with your GP, you can get tested quickly and discreetly by ordering a chlamydia test kit from our website.
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How Do You Get Tested For Chlamydia
There are free test kits available both online and in your nearest sexual health clinic. You can order one online from the NHS if you are under the age of 25 free of charge. The test is completed by giving a sample of urine in a vial and sending it off to get tested. You will receive your test results within 4 weeks by text.
What Medication Is Prescribed For Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection . While most patients who have been treated for chlamydia are asymptomatic, it is imperative to be treated if you or a partner may have been exposed. The CDC recommended treatment for chlamydia is Azithromycin 1 g by mouth in a single dose or Doxycycline 100 mg by mouth twice a daily for 7 day. These options are equally as effective and chosen based on preference and patience tolerance to antibiotics.
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What Do I Need To Know If I Get Treated For Chlamydia
If youre getting treated for chlamydia:
- Take all of your medicine the way your nurse or doctor tells you to, even if any symptoms you may be having go away sooner. The infection stays in your body until you finish the antibiotics.
- Your partner should also get treated for chlamydia so you dont re-infect each other or anyone else.
- Dont have sex for 7 days. If you only have 1 dose of medication, wait for 7 days after you take it before having sex. If youre taking medicine for 7 days, dont have sex until youve finished all of your pills.
- Get tested again in 3-4 months to make sure your infection is gone.
- Dont share your medicine with anyone. Your nurse or doctor may give you a separate dose of antibiotics for your partner. Make sure you both take all of the medicine you get.
- Even if you finish your treatment and the chlamydia is totally gone, its possible to get a new chlamydia infection again if youre exposed in the future. Chlamydia isnt a one-time-only deal. So use condoms and get tested regularly.
How Does A Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Test Work
Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea can be done at home or at a clinic. A sample of urine is typically sent to a laboratory, which checks the urine for chlamydia and gonorrhea DNA. If you are using the Everlywell at-home test, youâll receive secure, online results just a few days after the lab receives your sample.
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How Do I Get Tested For Chlamydia
You can get a free chlamydia test at a sexual health clinic, your local GP surgery, or a genitourinary medicine clinic. The test kit will typically involve a swab, taken from the vagina or urethra. Doctors can also check for chlamydia by testing a urine sample.
If you or your partner thinks that you have any symptoms of chlamydia, then visit a doctor, or get a free, instant chlamydia test as soon as possible. If it is detected and diagnosed early, you can treat the infection straight away, reducing the risk of any further complications. Often, these complications are associated with long-term chlamydia and are much more difficult to treat.
How Is Chlamydia Treated
Since chlamydia is caused by a bacterial infection, treatment for chlamydia is a regimen of oral antibiotics. The most common recommended course of treatment for how to cure chlamydia is to prescribe Doxycycline or Azithromycin . The infection should clear after one to two weeks after taking the prescribed chlamydia pills.
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Use Your Health Insurance Just Like You Normally Would To See Your Doctor
Prescription antibiotics are currently the only way to get rid of chlamydia.
The two approved antibiotic treatments for chlamydia are:
These medications are not available over the counter and require a prescription from a doctor.
In special instances, if a partner is being treated with antibiotics for chlamydia, a pharmacist can prescribe azithromycin for the other partner to treat asymptomatic symptoms.
Otherwise, doctors prescribe these medications and guide treatment plans.
Will The Doctor Be Able To Write Me A Chlamydia Prescription
If you test positive for chlamydia, a PlushCare doctor can write you a prescription for antibiotics. Before writing you a prescription for chlamydia pills, the doctor will order a lab test for you. You will need to test positive for chlamydia before beginning treatment to rule out other conditions. A physician at PlushCare can help provide STD treatment online and help develop a treatment plan for you.
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How Do You Know If Chlamydia Is Gone After Treatment
Your chlamydia symptoms should improve within a week of completing your course of antibiotics.
You do not need an immediate follow-up test to check if your chlamydia treatment has worked, as dead chlamydia bacteria may be detected 3 to 5 weeks after treatment, which would give a false positive result. But, if you have a rectal infection, you should have a test after treatment is completed.
If you are under 25 and have tested positive for chlamydia, it is recommended you take a repeat test 3 months after completing your treatment, to check you have not caught chlamydia again.
Practicing Sex After Chlamydia
Once your course of treatment for chlamydia is finished, you should wait for three weeks and then take a second test for chlamydia. This waiting period is to ensure all traces of the bacteria have left the body. Only after a second test confirms there is no longer a presence of chlamydia do we recommend practicing sex again.
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Chlamydia Symptoms Medication & Treatment Online
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK. It’s most common in men and women under the age of 25, although roughly 50% of men and 75% of women show no symptoms. If left untreated, it can potentially cause health and fertility problems.
You can read more about the causes, methods of prevention and available treatments below. Our service is completely discreet and orders are delivered with free next-day delivery.
Can I Buy Chlamydia Treatment Online
The Online Clinic is happy to prescribe antibiotics to treat Chlamydia if you have tested positive or a partner has tested positive for Chlamydia. Please click on the free consultation button below to enter your medical details. This will enable us to check which prescription antibiotic is appropriate for you.
If you have symptoms that you are worried about, it is better not to try to guess what might be causing them – get tested! There is not a single antibiotic that works for everything. It is essential that doctors know what they are treating so that the right antibiotic at the right dose is given to the patient.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Chlamydia Treatment
While doxycycline is an effective treatment for chlamydia, some people may have side effects when taking this chlamydia treatment.
Some common doxycycline side effects may include:
- headaches
- increased sensitivity to light
- nausea or being sick
- palpitations
- stomach ulcers
- joint or muscle pain
If you have any side effects when taking doxycycline, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
The full list of doxycycline side effects and cautions can be found in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine package.
When taking doxycycline, you should avoid drinking alcohol as it reduces doxycyclines effectiveness. You should also avoid sunlight as increased sensitivity to light has been reported as a side effect of doxycycline.
You should stop taking doxycycline and seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following rare but severe side effects, or symptoms of an allergic reaction:
- Ringing in your ear
- Fever, swollen lymph nodes or skin rash
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain, swollen face, lips, mouth, hand or feet
Can Chlamydia Symptoms Persist After Treatment
After you have begun chlamydia treatment, you should start to notice an improvement in your symptoms within a few days. Generally, most symptoms go away completely within 24 weeks. If any symptoms continue, such as pelvic pain or pain during sex, please seek followup with a provider as further treatment or investigations may be necessary. All sexual partners within at least the past 6 months should be notified so they can seek testing and treatment.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of a doctor with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never delay seeking or disregard professional medical advice because of something you have read here.
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Chlamydia And Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease, better known as PID, is a bacterial infection of the womb and/or fallopian tubes. Its often caused by chlamydia and it causes chlamydia related infertility in women as described above.
The most common symptoms of PID in women are:
- abdominal vaginal bleeding .
- fever
- lower back pain
Some women become ill over the course of just a few days, but the infection can also occur slowly, . PID is very common in the UK, with around 1 in 50 women developing it each year. Its most prevalent among the 15 24 age group and a womans chances of developing PID are much higher if she has contracted an STI such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
The treatment for PID is a two week course of antibiotics. In serious cases, a stay in hospital may be needed.
What Are The Chlamydia Treatment Options
The latest sexual health guidelines in the UK recommend Doxycycline to treat Chlamydia. The course is one tablet, twice a day for 7 days. We recommend that you do not have sex until you have completed the course of antibiotics.
The second line treatment for Chlamydia is Azithromycin. You take 2 tablets together on day one, and one a day on days two and three. Azithromycin will start working within a few hours but it may take around 7 days to clear the infection completely, so we recommend that you do not have sex until the 7 days have gone by.
Both Chlamydia treatment options are equally effective but there may be a medical reason why one or the other is not appropriate for you.
It is important to complete the course of antibiotics even if any symptoms that you are experiencing clear up before the end of the course.
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How Long Will The Antibiotics Take To Work
Chlamydia antibiotics, Azithromycin or Doxycycline, usually clear symptoms quickly. Pain on passing urine and discharge normally clear within a week.
However pelvic pain or testicular pain can take two weeks to pass. Menstrual irregularities should improve by the next cycle.
Any symptoms that persist may be an indicator of failed treatment. If this occurs then you should see your doctor or local sexual health clinic for further treatment.
If the course of chlamydia treatment is taken correctly then there will be no need for re-testing to check the chlamydia has gone. A follow-up test is only advised if any of the following applies:
- You didnt take the medication as instructed
- Your symptoms remain
- Your symptoms have come back
- You had sex before you and your partner had completed treatment
There are many reasons why you may be experiencing persistent symptoms. For example, due to antibiotic resistance, sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia are becoming more difficult to treat.
Here are some other reasons why your chlamydia symptoms might not be clearing up :
In the case of failed treatment or unresolved symptoms, you should see your GP or visit your local GUM clinic.
How To Get Rid Of Chlamydia
If you are wondering how to cure chlamydia, the first step is to receive a diagnosis from a doctor after you get a lab test. If you test positive for chlamydia, you can get rid of the infection by taking a course of antibiotics prescribed by your physician. Chlamydia treatment for men and women primarily involves taking antibiotics.
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How To Clear Chlamydia Without Antibiotics
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. While we are unable to recommend any treatment not recommended by the CDC in the treatment of chlamydia there are some who have utilized alternative treatment to reduce infection but does not cure it. These remedies include garlic, turmeric, or dieting.
This Test Will With > 99% Accuracy Tell You Whether Or Not You Have Been Infected With Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea
Like any Everlywell STI test, our at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test is delivered in discreet packaging and taken in the privacy of your own home. Once you return your test sample to our lab and your sample is processed, youâll be notified via email when your results are ready. You will then be able to access your results through an easy-to-understand report on our secure online platform.
This at-home gonorrhea and chlamydia test checks whether you test positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia.
In the event that your test results are positive, a board-certified physician in your state will contact you at no additional cost to discuss your particular case, and when appropriate, prescribe medication.
We take customer privacy very seriously, and only you will have access to this information. As is the case with all STD testing – whether through Everlywell at-home tests or your healthcare provider â we may be required by law to report positive test results to certain state health departments. This is only done to track the prevalence of a sexually transmitted disease. In rare cases you may not receive a definitive result because of early infection or inadequate sampling and repeat testing is suggested. Donât take a chance on your sexual health. Know where you stand with our at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea test. You can also take our at-home STD Test for men or our STD Test for women.
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