A single-dose pill shows promise against antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea

A single-dose pill shows promise against antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea

A single-dose oral drug called zoliflodacin shows promise as a new treatment for antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea, according to a phase 3 clinical trial published inThe lancet. The study found that one dose of zoliflodacin was as effective as the current standard treatment, which combines two antibiotics: an injection of ceftriaxone followed by an oral dose of azithromycin.

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, affecting over 82 million people worldwide each year. However, treatment is becoming increasingly difficult as the bacteria that cause the infection develop resistance to current antibiotics. This new drug has the potential to slow the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and make gonorrhea treatment more accessible worldwide.

More than 900 people from five countries took part in the international study (USA, South Africa, Thailand, Belgium and the Netherlands). Participants received either the new pill or the standard treatment. The results showed that zoliflodacin cured over 90% of genital infections. The drug was well tolerated, had side effects similar to current treatments, and no serious safety issues were reported.

Zoliflodacin is currently awaiting approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved, the authors say it could significantly improve global efforts to control drug-resistant gonorrhea infections, support community-led care and protect the reproductive health of millions of people.

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