Which antibiotic is commonly used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis caused by gonococcal infections?

The commonly used antibiotic to treat bacterial conjunctivitis caused by gonococcal infections is Ceftriaxone. This is due to its effectiveness against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria responsible for gonococcal infections, including conjunctivitis. Gonococcal conjunctivitis can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly, as the bacteria can cause rapid corneal damage and potential vision loss.

Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic that penetrates well into tissues and offers a strong response against this particular infection. It is typically administered intramuscularly in cases involving severe infections or if there is concern about resistance to other antibiotics.

While other antibiotics like Penicillin, Azithromycin, and Amoxicillin have their uses in treating various bacterial infections, they are not the primary choices for gonococcal conjunctivitis. Penicillin may not be effective due to increased resistance; Azithromycin is often utilized for other bacterial infections but not specifically recommended for gonococcal conjunctivitis; Amoxicillin similarly lacks efficacy against Neisseria gonorrhoeae in this context. Therefore, Ceftriaxone remains the most reliable choice in treating this specific condition.