The benefits of gepotidacin for urogenital gonorrhea with Angela Hasler, APRN, CPNP-PC

Following the December 11, 2025, FDA approval of gepotidacin (Blujepa; GSK) as the first oral treatment option for uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea in adolescents and adults, providing a noninjectable alternative to existing standard therapy for this sexually transmitted infection. The approval, which authorizes use in patients aged 12 years and older weighing at least 45 kg who have limited or no alternative options, also represents the first new antibiotic class for gonorrhea in over 30 years.

Angela Hasler, APRN, CPNP-PC, pediatric nurse practitioner, Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, D.C.; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners member, described the milestone as “extremely exciting news,” emphasizing the urgent clinical need for alternative therapies.

“Antibiotic resistance to gonorrhea is a major problem worldwide and a big concern. I know it’s something that keeps me up at night,” she said. “This feels very, very hopeful, both for immediate treatment related to this medication and just thinking forward to ongoing development of new treatments.”

Standard therapy currently relies on intramuscular ceftriaxone—an effective but injection-based approach that can create logistical, clinical, and emotional barriers for many patients. Hasler noted that an oral regimen has the potential to reduce pain and distress across age groups. “Compared to injectables, first of all, there are many, many benefits,” she said. “What comes to mind is decreasing distress and decreasing pain in all patients.”

Hasler highlighted expedited partner therapy as one of the most impactful advantages. “Currently, gonorrhea is treated with ceftriaxone, which is an injection. That’s obviously very difficult to treat partners,” she explained. “Having an oral alternative that truly works at all sites of gonorrhea infection would drastically improve partner therapy and thus, I think, decrease the burden of gonorrhea in general.”

She added that resource-limited settings—where staff may not be trained to administer IM injections or supplies may be constrained—stand to benefit significantly. Additionally, reducing the number of injections during a single visit may improve acceptance of other needed interventions. “If we can replace one of those needles with an oral treatment, maybe that would open up their willingness for some of their other needed medical treatment,” Hasler said.

For adolescents and young adults, Hasler noted that oral therapy may help overcome barriers around minor consent laws, appointment navigation, and antibiotic allergies—especially for patients reporting penicillin allergies, where ceftriaxone may be avoided.

“[It is] lovely to have a different class of medication available in these situations,” she said.

Reference:

Ebert M. FDA approves gepotidacin as oral treatment for urogenital gonorrhea. Contemporary Pediatrics. Published December 11, 2025. Accessed December 11, 2025. https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/fda-approves-gepotidacin-as-oral-treatment-for-urogenital-gonorrhea