The Food and Drug Administration approved the first new class of antibiotic in nearly 30 years, a pill called Blujepa from GSK, for treating uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women and girls 12 and older. UTIs are commonly caused by bacteria like E. coli, which are becoming increasingly resistant to standard antibiotics. The new drug works by targeting key enzymes needed for bacteria to replicate. More than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, with resistance to at least one drug found in over 92% of bacteria that cause UTIs. Blujepa was shown in clinical trials to successfully treat 50% to 58% of infections, compared to 43% to 47% for another antibiotic. UTI symptoms include burning during urination, blood in the urine, and a strong urge to urinate. Untreated UTIs can lead to complications like bladder infections and kidney damage. GSK is also studying whether Blujepa can treat gonorrhea. While the cost of the new drug has not been disclosed, its availability in the second half of the year is expected to provide a new option for treating UTIs and help combat drug resistance caused by the overuse of existing antibiotics.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
