UTI drug repurposed to treat sexually transmitted disease shows 93% efficacy
A new oral antibiotic could be a breakthrough in the fight against stubborn gonorrhoea infections, a sexually transmitted infection that health authorities warn is becoming harder to treat.In a clinical trial, the UTI drug gepotidacin cleared infections in 93% of cases, performing just as well as the current standard treatment, according to findings published in The Lancet.Gonorrhoea, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is commonly spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It often goes undetected in women due to the absence of symptoms.advertisement
However, if left untreated, it can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and increased HIV risk.The study tested gepotidacin (previously used for urinary tract infections) on 628 participants with uncomplicated gonorrhoea. Half received two doses of oral gepotidacin, while others were given an injection of ceftriaxone and an oral dose of azithromycin, the existing dual therapy.Results showed the pill was equally effective overall: 93% of participants who took gepotidacin were cured, compared to 91% in the standard group.
Gonorrhoea, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is commonly spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. ()
Gepotidacin was already being used to treat urinary tract infections, but this is the first time it has shown success against gonorrhoea. It works differently from current antibiotics by blocking the bacteria's DNA replication, making it effective even in cases with known resistance.advertisementResearchers found that the new drug was 100% effective against rectal gonorrhoea, though it showed lower efficacy for throat infections (78%) compared to 94% with the standard treatment. Further data is needed, particularly for pharyngeal infections and in broader populations.Some people experienced mild issues like nausea or diarrhoea, but nothing serious was reported.The trial results come as the UK faces a rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 17 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea were reported from January 2024 to March 2025, including nine that were extensively drug-resistant.Dr. Katy Sinka from UKHSA warned that the infection is becoming increasingly difficult to treat and urged people with new or casual partners to get tested. Experts also cautioned that gepotidacin's use should be monitored carefully to prevent future resistance.So, while gepotidacin does bring hope, experts are warning caution especially for people who can't take injections or who have infections that don't respond to current drugs. If this new treatment is overused, resistance could build up again.That's why continued STI prevention, regular testing, and developing even more treatment options remain crucial in antimicrobial resistance.
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