Why the approval of two new gonorrhoea treatments is a game changer

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Source: BMJ

Original: http://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.r2684.short?rss=1...

Published: 2026-01-05T04:51:13-08:00

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae that affects approximately 19 out of every 1,000 women and 23 out of every 1,000 men worldwide[1]. Drug-resistant strains of this bacterium are spreading in many countries, making even the most commonly used antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and cefixime ineffective[1]. These resistant "super strains" are mainly found in the Asia-Pacific region, but global travel networks also lead to their occurrence in the UK and USA[1]. In December 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new antibiotics for the treatment of gonorrhea: gepotidacin (Blujepa) and zoliflodacin (Nuzolvence)[1]. Both new drugs have shown efficacy against resistant strains of gonorrhea[1]. These antibiotics are still awaiting approval as a treatment for gonorrhea in the United Kingdom and the European Union[1].