New options for gonorrhea treatment: FDA approves Nuzolvence and Blujepa

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of dissolvable Nuzolvence (zoliflodacin) and Blujepa (gepotidacin) oral tablets for the treatment of gonorrhea in patients over 12 years of age with limited options. This action provides alternatives for patients who have treatment-resistant gonorrhea. 

Both medications received Fast Track, Qualified Infectious Disease Product and Priority Review designations from the FDA for “uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea.” Patients must weigh 77 pounds minimum to take Nuzolvence and 99 to take Blujepa.

Entasis Therapeutics was awarded FDA approval for Nuzolvence after a study showed the medication had similar effectiveness to the standard ceftriaxone shot plus azithromycin pill. Blujepa also proved to have similar effectiveness to the standard treatment in a different study causing the FDA to give GSK approval for the drug.

Both treatments have potential side effects and come with warnings from the FDA. The list can be found on their website.