Why Over-the-Counter Chlamydia Treatments Don’t Exist
If you think you might have chlamydia, a quick trip to the drugstore can seem like the easiest fix. But there is no over-the-counter chlamydia treatment that cures it. The same is true for gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. All three are cured with prescription medicine.[1][2][3]
The good news is that a prescription does not have to mean a wait. With Starfish.com, you can request treatment online without an appointment. If a licensed clinician approves it, we send the prescription to your pharmacy, usually within 1 to 2 hours.
Why Drugstore Products Cannot Cure These Infections
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections,[4] and trichomoniasis is caused by a tiny parasite.[3] Each one is cleared by specific prescription medicines that the CDC recommends in its treatment guidelines.[4][5][6] None of those medicines are sold over the counter.
Products that claim otherwise are not approved. The FDA has warned that there are no over-the-counter or online drugs or dietary supplements that treat or prevent STDs, and has acted against companies selling them.[7]
There is a second risk. These infections often cause no symptoms at all.[1][2] About 70% of people with trichomoniasis have no signs of it.[3] So a product that seems to ease itching or discharge can leave the infection in place. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause serious and lasting health problems, even without symptoms.[1][2]
What Cures Each Infection
| What the CDC recommends | Before sex again | |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Doxycycline, an antibiotic tablet[4] | Wait until you and your partner have finished treatment[1] |
| Gonorrhea | A ceftriaxone injection, or cefixime tablets as the alternative[5] | Wait 7 days after treatment[5] |
| Trichomoniasis | Metronidazole tablets[6] | Wait until you and your partner have finished treatment and symptoms have gone[6] |
The Fastest Route to Chlamydia Treatment
Chlamydia can be cured with the right treatment.[1] The CDC’s recommended treatment is doxycycline, an antibiotic tablet taken for a full course.[4] The CDC advises taking all of the medicine you are prescribed, so the infection is cured.[1]
Speed matters, but so does finishing treatment properly. Repeat chlamydia is common, so the CDC advises testing again about 3 months after treatment.[1]
Get Chlamydia Treatment Without an Appointment
Answer a few questions online. A licensed clinician reviews them and, if treatment is right for you, sends a prescription to your pharmacy.
Why the Right Gonorrhea Antibiotic Matters
Gonorrhea can be cured, but it is becoming harder to treat some strains.[2] The CDC recommends a ceftriaxone injection and lists cefixime tablets as its alternative treatment.[5] Our gonorrhea treatment uses cefixime, so you can be treated with tablets at home instead of visiting a clinic for an injection.
If you may have gonorrhea in your throat, the CDC advises a follow-up test 7 to 14 days after treatment to check it has cleared.[5] And if your symptoms carry on for more than a few days after treatment, see a healthcare provider in person.[2]
Why Your Partner Needs Trichomoniasis Treatment Too
Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STI.[3] It is treated with metronidazole tablets,[6] the same antibiotic often prescribed as metronidazole for BV.
About 1 in 5 people get trichomoniasis again within 3 months of treatment.[3] To avoid passing it back and forth, your partner should be treated at the same time.[3] Your partner can request their own trichomoniasis treatment online.
How Online Treatment Works
You answer an online questionnaire about your symptoms or test result. If you have a positive test, or a partner has told you they tested positive, mention it in your questionnaire. A licensed clinician reviews your answers. If treatment is right for you, we send the prescription to the pharmacy you chose, usually within 1 to 2 hours, so you can start the same day. You pay for the medication at the pharmacy, the same way you would with a prescription from your own doctor.
When to go in person instead. If you have severe pain in your lower belly, a fever, or pain in your testicles, see a healthcare provider in person. If you are pregnant, contact your obstetrician. We do not treat anyone who is pregnant.
FAQ
Can I buy chlamydia treatment over the counter at CVS?
No. Chlamydia treatment needs a prescription, whether you go to CVS, Walgreens or any other pharmacy. You can request treatment online, and if a clinician approves it, we send the prescription to the pharmacy you choose.
What’s the best online chlamydia treatment with fast results?
Look for a service that prescribes the treatment the CDC recommends, doxycycline,[4] and gets it to you quickly. With Starfish.com, a licensed clinician reviews your request and, if treatment is right for you, the prescription usually reaches your pharmacy within 1 to 2 hours.
Can I use leftover antibiotics or a friend’s prescription?
No. The CDC says not to share chlamydia or gonorrhea medicine with anyone.[1][2] A leftover or borrowed antibiotic may be the wrong drug, or too little to clear the infection.
Do I need a test before I can get treatment?
A test result helps, so mention it in your questionnaire if you have one. Either way, the CDC advises testing again about 3 months after treatment.[1][2][3]
Will my partner need treatment too?
Yes. Your partner needs treatment so the infection is not passed back to you.[1][3] They can request their own treatment online.
Start Treatment Today
Skip the drugstore guesswork. A licensed clinician reviews your answers and, if treatment is right for you, sends the prescription to your pharmacy within 1 to 2 hours.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Chlamydia.” https://www.cdc.gov/chlamydia/about/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Gonorrhea.” https://www.cdc.gov/gonorrhea/about/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Trichomoniasis.” https://www.cdc.gov/trichomoniasis/about/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Chlamydial Infections.” Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/chlamydia.htm
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Gonococcal Infections Among Adolescents and Adults.” Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/gonorrhea-adults.htm
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Trichomoniasis.” Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/trichomoniasis.htm
- NPR, Shots. “Feds Crack Down On Bogus STD Remedies.” Report on a joint FDA and FTC action, 2011. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/05/03/135956444/feds-cracks-down-on-bogus-std-remedies
