Recommended Treatment for Pregnant Women with Syphilis

Category

Treatment

Early syphilis^a

Benzathine penicillin G, 2.4 million units intramuscularly as a single injection—some recommend a second dose 1 week later

More than 1 year duration^b

Benzathine penicillin G, 2.4 million units intramuscularly weekly for 3 doses

Neurosyphilis^c

Aqueous crystalline penicillin G, 3-4 million units intravenously every 4 hours for 10-14 days

Aqueous procaine penicillin, 2.4 million units intramuscularly daily, plus probenecid 500 mg orally four times daily, both for 10-14 days

^aPrimary, secondary, and latent syphilis of less than 1 year duration.

^bLatent syphilis of unknown or more than 1 year duration; tertiary syphilis.

^cSome recommend benzathine penicillin, 2.4 million units intramuscularly after completion of the neurosyphilis treatment regimens.

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2002d).