What is the treatment of choice for a patient with syphilis?

The treatment of choice for syphilis is Benzathine penicillin G. This antibiotic is highly effective against Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis. Benzathine penicillin G is preferred due to its long-acting formulation, which allows for a single intramuscular injection to be sufficient for treating the early stages of syphilis, such as primary and secondary syphilis. For patients with latent syphilis or late syphilis, additional doses may be required, but the treatment remains the same.

Penicillin is the first-line treatment not only because of its efficacy in eradicating the infection but also due to its safety profile and the established guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations. The use of Benzathine penicillin G allows for optimal therapeutic levels to be maintained in the body over an extended period, making it particularly effective.

Amoxicillin, although a penicillin derivative, is not used as a standard treatment for syphilis because it may not achieve sufficient levels in the body for optimal effectiveness. Clindamycin is not appropriate for syphilis treatment as it does not target Treponema pallidum effectively, and metron