Special Report: New Frontiers in STI Treatment
Patrick Campbell
FDA prioritizes gepotidacin, an oral gonorrhea treatment for adolescents, enhancing access and adherence in sexual health care.
In part 2 of this 7-part Special Report, the discussion shifts to the US Food and Drug Administration approval of gepotidacin (Blujepa), an oral therapy for uncomplicated UTIs approved for patients as young as 12. Brooke Redmond, MD, a neonatal and pediatric specialist, emphasized that oral formulations are especially welcomed in pediatric and adolescent care, where both patients and parents often prefer them over injectable options. This could lower barriers to initiating timely treatment and improve adherence in younger populations.
Kylee Johnson, MS, ARNP, added that oral therapy is particularly meaningful for rural or resource-limited communities, where access to injectable treatment can be delayed. The availability of a convenient oral option not only shortens the time to treatment but also facilitates partner therapy, a critical element in preventing reinfection and curbing community spread.
At the same time, Redmond cautioned that adherence must be closely monitored. Unlike an injection, which ensures full delivery, oral regimens depend on patient follow-through. Both panelists agreed that pediatric providers will need to emphasize clear counseling and education to adolescents and families on the importance of completing therapy. Despite this caveat, they concluded that the option represents a valuable step forward in adolescent sexual health care and could reduce sexually transmitted infection burden across age groups.
Our Experts:
- Kylee Johnson, MS, APRN, is a women’s health nurse practitioner at Rocky Mountain Women's Clinic.
- Brooke Redmond, MD, is an attending neonatal critical care physician at the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. She is the creator and director of the 24/7 BABY program.
- Denise Heaney, PhD, is a senior scientific affairs manager in Diagnostics Information Solutions at Roche Diagnostics Corporation in Indianapolis.
Redmond and Johnson have no relevant disclosures to report. Relevant disclosures for Heaney include Roche.
References:
Hufstetler K, Llata E, Miele K, Quilter LAS. Clinical Updates in Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2024. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2024;33(6):827-837. doi:10.1089/jwh.2024.0367
World Health Organization. Guidelines for the management of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections. Published 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK616637/
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