A new single-dose oral medication, zoliflodacin, has shown effectiveness in treating antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea, according to results from a phase 3 clinical trial published in The Lancet. The study compared zoliflodacin with the current standard treatment, which uses an injection of ceftriaxone followed by an oral dose of azithromycin.
Gonorrhoea is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections worldwide, affecting more than 82 million people each year. Treatment has become increasingly challenging as the bacteria responsible for the infection develop resistance to existing antibiotics. Researchers believe that this new medication could help address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and make treatment more accessible globally.
The international clinical trial included over 900 participants from five countries: the United States, South Africa, Thailand, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Participants were given either zoliflodacin or the standard dual-antibiotic therapy. The findings indicated that zoliflodacin cured more than 90% of genital site infections. Side effects reported were similar to those seen with current treatments and no serious safety concerns emerged during the study.
Zoliflodacin is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If it receives approval, researchers say it could play a significant role in controlling drug-resistant gonorrhoea infections worldwide and support community-led care efforts while protecting reproductive health for millions.
"Zoliflodacin is currently awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved, the authors say it could greatly improve global efforts to control drug-resistant gonorrhea infections, support community-led care, and protect reproductive health for millions of people."
