Comparing cefixime and penicillin for treating early syphilis

Clinical Trial Comparing the Effectiveness of Cefixime Versus Penicillin G for Treatment of Early Syphilis

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-10879152

This study is looking at how well an oral antibiotic called cefixime works compared to an injectable antibiotic called benzathine penicillin G for treating early syphilis, especially in people with HIV, and it’s inviting 400 participants to help find better treatment options over the next nine months.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10879152 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of cefixime, an oral antibiotic, compared to benzathine penicillin G, an injectable antibiotic, in treating early syphilis in patients, including those with HIV. Participants will take cefixime twice a day for 10 days or receive an injection of penicillin. The study aims to enroll 400 individuals across multiple clinical sites in the U.S. and Peru, monitoring their health and response to treatment over nine months. This trial seeks to provide new insights into safer and effective treatment options for syphilis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with early syphilis, particularly those who may have difficulty receiving injections or are allergic to penicillin.

Not a fit: Patients who have late-stage syphilis or are not eligible for treatment due to other medical conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new oral treatment option for early syphilis that may be easier to administer than current injectable therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results for cefixime, indicating potential for success in this larger trial.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.