What is the treatment for late or tertiary syphilis?

The treatment for late or tertiary syphilis involves the administration of benzathine penicillin G, which is a long-acting form of penicillin. The standard recommended regimen for this stage of syphilis is an intramuscular injection of benzathine penicillin G administered weekly for a duration of three weeks. This extended treatment period is critical because it ensures adequate levels of the antibiotic are maintained in the body to effectively combat the infection caused by Treponema pallidum over a longer time frame.

Late or tertiary syphilis can cause significant damage to various organ systems, and proper treatment is essential to prevent these serious complications. The use of other forms of penicillin, such as oral penicillin G, is not appropriate for late-stage syphilis, as it may not achieve adequate serum levels for effective treatment. Similarly, doxycycline, though effective for some other stages of syphilis, is not the first-line treatment for late or tertiary form because it may not be as effective as benzathine penicillin G for these cases.