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**New Breakthrough Antibiotic Can Treat Drug-Resistant “Super Gonorrhoea”**
In a groundbreaking development, researchers have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug-resistant gonorrhoea. The newly developed antibiotic, gepotidacin, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of urinary tract infections in women and children, following positive trial results.
This innovative new treatment offers hope in addressing the alarming rise in cases of super gonorrhoea, a strain that is resistant to existing antibiotics. According to the CDC, over 600,000-700,000 cases of gonorrhea are diagnosed annually in the U.S., highlighting the urgent need for effective treatments.
The study published in The Lancet and presented at the ESCMID conference in Vienna demonstrates the efficacy of gepotidacin as a safe and effective treatment for drug-resistant gonorrhoea. In a phase 3 clinical trial, over 600 patients across six countries participated, including the U.K. and the U.S.
Gepotidacin works by blocking bacterial DNA replication, thereby halting the division and multiplication of bacteria. The results show that gepotidacin was as effective as the current treatment combination, an injection of ceftriaxone combined with an oral dose of azithromycin. Moreover, it proved to be effective against strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae known to be resistant to recommended treatments.
This breakthrough comes at a critical time, as the World Health Organization has identified gonorrhea as a “high” priority in its Bacterial Priority Pathogens List for 2024. The absence of effective treatments leaves healthcare providers with limited options to treat this growing public health concern.
The most significant advantage of gepotidacin is that it can be taken orally, eliminating the need for an injection, which could significantly enhance patient accessibility and adherence.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/victoriaforster/2025/04/15/new-breakthrough-antibiotic-can-treat-drug-resistant-super-gonorrhoea/
