The authors compared the safety and efficacy of 0.5 and 1.0 g of cefotetan with that of 0.25 g of ceftriaxone in a 3:3:2 randomized distribution. Of 172 patients (96 men, 76 women) aged 18-43 years who were being treated at the Delgado Venereal Disease Clinic, New Orleans Health Department, for acute gonococcal urethritis or cervicitis, 123 were evaluable (81 men, 42 women). All men and 16 women were initially symptomatic. All were culture positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. At the 4-8 day follow-up, cultures were negative for N. gonorrhoeae in all except one man and one woman, each of whom received cefotetan 0.5 g. Symptoms were eliminated 12-72 hr after therapy in all groups. Cefotetan was well tolerated, and there were few adverse experiences reported. Thus, the authors consider cefotetan safe and effective for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea.