Daijiworld Media Network- Vienna

Vienna, Apr 15: In a significant breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic-resistant sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a new oral pill, gepotidacin, has shown promising results in combating drug-resistant gonorrhoea, according to a recent study published in The Lancet.

Developed by British pharmaceutical giant GSK, gepotidacin is already approved for the treatment of urinary tract infections and may soon emerge as a vital alternative for treating gonorrhoea — especially in light of rising resistance to conventional treatments. Gonorrhoea, if left untreated, can lead to severe health complications including infertility and ectopic pregnancies, particularly among women.

The phase 3 clinical trial, conducted across the US, UK, and Australia, involved 622 patients and revealed that the new oral treatment was just as effective as the current standard care — a combination of an injectable antibiotic (ceftriaxone) and oral azithromycin.

Crucially, gepotidacin demonstrated effectiveness against strains of gonorrhoea that are resistant to existing antibiotics, and patients did not report any serious side effects related to the treatment, the study noted.

The researchers — which included experts from the University of Birmingham and the University of Sydney — emphasized that the convenience of a pill-only regimen could significantly enhance patient experience and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.

"This new treatment could prove to be an important tool in managing drug-resistant infections. Being an oral medication, it not only simplifies treatment but also makes it more accessible," the team stated.

However, the researchers cautioned that further studies are necessary. The current trial primarily focused on urogenital gonorrhoea and had a limited demographic — with most participants being white men. There is a need to understand its efficacy in cases involving rectal and throat infections, and in broader groups including women, adolescents, and people of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

The findings were also presented at the prestigious European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) conference in Austria, underlining its significance on the global health stage.