Two newly approved antibiotics could mark the most significant advance in treating gonorrhoea in decades, researchers say, as cases of the sexually transmitted infection continue to surge worldwide.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved zoliflodacin and gepotidacin, offering new options against strains that are increasingly resistant to existing drugs. More than 82 million gonorrhoea infections occur globally each year, with cases in England and across Europe at record levels.
Zoliflodacin, also known as Nuzolvence, cured over 90% of genital infections in clinical trials and can be taken as a single oral dose. Gepotidacin, developed by GSK, has also proved effective against drug-resistant gonorrhoea. Both are seen as crucial alternatives as resistance to current first-line antibiotics continues to rise.
Health experts say the approvals come at a critical moment, with the World Health Organization warning that gonorrhoea is becoming harder to treat. The new drugs are expected to improve treatment outcomes and help slow the global spread of highly resistant strains.
