New syphilis combo treatment tested in HIV patients – trial cut short

NCT ID NCT05980871

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at two different antibiotic combinations for treating early syphilis in people living with HIV. One group received a single shot of ceftriaxone plus a week of doxycycline pills, while the other got the standard single shot of penicillin plus the same doxycycline course. The goal was to see if the ceftriaxone combo worked as well, while also treating common co-infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia. The trial was terminated early, so the full results are not available.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
ceftriaxone plus doxycycline, compared to benzathine penicillin G plus doxycycline
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that a single shot of ceftriaxone plus a week of doxycycline works as well as the standard penicillin shot plus doxycycline for treating early syphilis in people with HIV, while also covering other sexually transmitted infections.
What could go wrong
The trial was terminated early, so results may be incomplete. It is a Phase 4 study with only 109 participants, and findings may not apply to people without HIV or those with later-stage syphilis.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Kuan-Yin Lin

    Taipei, Taiwan, 110, Taiwan

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