Gepotidacin, a new antibiotic pill, works as well as standard treatments for gonorrhea. These results appeared in a large, recent study published in The Lancet. The new drug could offer a simple oral option for treating this common sexually transmitted infection.
How Did the Study Show the Pill’s Effectiveness for Gonorrhea?
The study enrolled 628 people with suspected or confirmed urogenital gonorrhea. Researchers randomly assigned them to two groups. One group took two oral doses of gepotidacin, 10 to 12 hours apart. The other group received one shot of ceftriaxone and an oral dose of azithromycin.
Researchers checked if the drugs cleared the infection within 4 to 8 days. Gepotidacin cured 92.6% of participants. The standard treatment group had a 91.2% cure rate. This small difference showed the pill worked just as well.
No one in either group had the infection return at follow-up. Side effects were more common in the gepotidacin group, especially stomach issues. But most were mild or moderate. No serious treatment-related problems occurred.
Most participants were male, especially men who have sex with men. The group also included men who have sex with women and a few women. Most were white or Black, and about 17% were Hispanic or Latino.
How Could Gepotidacin Help Stop Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea?
Ceftriaxone is a powerful injectable antibiotic used for gonorrhea. Azithromycin is an oral antibiotic often paired with it to increase effectiveness. However, gonorrhea has grown resistant to both drugs in recent years.
The FDA recently approved the drug to treat urinary tract infections. It is approved for women and girls age 12 and older. The pill is sold under the name Blujepa.
Gepotidacin belongs to a new antibiotic class called triazaacenaphthylene. The pill targets two enzymes that gonorrhea bacteria need to survive. These enzymes help bacteria copy their DNA and grow.
Why is Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea an Urgent Health Concern?
The CDC says gonorrhea is resistant to nearly every antibiotic used today. Experts warn we need new options as resistance spreads. No new gonorrhea treatments have been introduced since the 1990s.
Gonorrhea cases are rising sharply in the United States. From 2009 to 2021, rates jumped 118%. In 2022, over 640,000 cases were reported. Worldwide, there are an estimated 82 million new cases each year.
If untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious health issues. It can lead to joint pain, liver problems, and infertility. The infection can also damage the heart and brain.
GSK, the drug’s manufacturer, plans to seek FDA approval soon. A decision is expected later this year. Approval would make gepotidacin a first-in-class oral treatment for gonorrhea.
Antimicrobial resistance is rapidly increasing worldwide. In 2019, drug-resistant infections caused 5 million deaths. Bacterial resistance is now more deadly than HIV or malaria.
Conclusion
Africa faces rising disease threats and shrinking international support. Local investment and prevention strategies are now urgently needed. Without action, African health systems may weaken under growing pressure.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
