Blujepa (Gepotidacin): A New Antibiotic UTI Treatment in Women

We are pleased to share the news of a new antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections in women. Blujepa (gepotidacin) has recently been approved, but it is not yet available in the UK and is expected to launch in mid-2026. Once available, it will offer an alternative for women with resistant infections or intolerance to standard antibiotics.

What exactly is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections seen in women. Some studies suggest it affects up to 10% of women in the UK. Most are lower UTIs (cystitis) – an infection of the bladder. Symptoms include:

• • Needing to pass urine more often than usual
  • Burning or stinging when passing urine
  • A sudden urge to go, sometimes with leakage
  • Lower abdominal or bladder discomfort

In healthy women, UTIs are usually straightforward, though they can be very uncomfortable. Occasionally, they can spread to the kidneys, causing fever, back pain, or feeling generally unwell – this requires more urgent attention. Often, they require treatment with antibiotics.

A new antibiotic for UTIs: Blujepa (Gepotidacin)

For decades, women with urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been treated with the same few oral antibiotics – nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim, fosfomycin or other broad-spectrum drugs. These drugs usually work well, but resistance is creeping up, and some patients cannot tolerate them.

Now, a genuinely new antibiotic has been licensed in the UK and the US: Blujepa (the generic name is gepotidacin). It is the first in a new class of oral antibiotics for bladder infections – a rare development in modern medicine.

So where does Blujepa fit in with the usual treatment of UTIs?

Despite the headlines, Blujepa is not a new first-line drug. NICE and Public Health England still recommend nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim (where resistance is low), or fosfomycin as first choices.

Blujepa will be most useful for:

• women who cannot take those first-line antibiotics (due to resistance or intolerance),
• recurrent infections where cultures show limited options,
• selected patients under specialist care.

How does Blujepa (Gepotidacin) work to treat UTIs?

Most antibiotics for UTIs work by disrupting the way bacteria make proteins or build their cell walls. Blujepa is different: it stops bacteria from copying their DNA, which they need to multiply. Because it latches onto a different part of the bacterial machinery than older drugs, it can still work even when bacteria have become resistant to common treatments.

Clinical trials on Blujepa for UTIs: What the research shows

Two major clinical trials, involving thousands of women with straightforward bladder infections, compared Blujepa with nitrofurantoin:

• Effectiveness: Blujepa cleared the infection in just over half of women, slightly better than nitrofurantoin in one study, and at least as good in the other.
• Resistant bacteria: In women infected with bacteria resistant to usual antibiotics, Blujepa performed particularly well.
• Side effects: The most common problem was diarrhoea, usually mild. Some women also experienced nausea or abdominal discomfort. Serious side effects were uncommon.

Who can take Blujepa for a UTI?

Blujepa is licensed for girls and women aged 12 and over, weighing at least 40 kg, with an uncomplicated bladder infection.

• How it’s taken: Two tablets (750 mg each) twice a day for five days, best with food.
• What it treats: The usual UTI culprits such as E. coli, Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, if the lab finds them to be susceptible.

Is Blujepa suitable for me?

Blujepa is not for everyone. Points to be aware of are:

• Heart rhythm: it can slightly prolong the heart’s electrical cycle (QT interval). We avoid it in people with known rhythm problems or who take other QT-prolonging medicines.
• Kidneys and liver: it is not suitable for severe kidney or liver disease.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: sadly, as is so often the case, safety data on this new drug in pregnancy and breastfeeding are limited. We use established alternatives in most cases ,as we know more about the impact on your baby from studies and experience of using the medicine over the years.
• Other medicines: interactions are possible, so we review your full medication list before prescribing.
• All antibiotics carry risks, including C. difficile diarrhoea and allergic reactions, though these are rare.

What steps should you take if you develop UTI symptoms?

• Get checked promptly. New urinary frequency (passing water regularly), burning when you pee, urgency or bladder pain should lead to a same-day review.
• We will send your urine for culture, so be prepared to drop in a specimen. Specimen pots are available at the practice reception.
• Treatment will be tailored. We will most likely use standard antibiotics like nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim first. If your infection looks resistant, or if you cannot take standard antibiotics, alternatives such as Blujepa may be considered.
• Let us know your full medical history – particularly heart problems, kidney function, pregnancy and all medications.

The bottom line

Our goal at the surgery is to create a bespoke plan for the treatment of every patient with a UTI. With this in mind, and contrasting with many healthcare providers, our practice policy is to always send a urine specimen to the laboratory for comprehensive analysis. This means that as soon as your results are available, we can be sure to have you on the correct path. It may be a slightly more comprehensive and expensive approach, but it reduces the chances of treatment failure, unnecessary side effects, antimicrobial resistance and most importantly, escalation of your symptoms.

Blujepa (gepotidacin) is an exciting development: the first truly new oral antibiotic for bladder infections in decades. It offers fresh hope in the era of resistance, but it needs to be used wisely. For most women, existing treatments remain the first port of call. We will consider Blujepa carefully – as a valuable option when it is the safest and most effective choice for you.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a urinary tract infection or want to discuss Blujepa (Gepotidacin) as a treatment option when it becomes available, our private GPs can help. Book an appointment online or call us on 0207 245 9333.