Podcast Summary: Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

Episode: The 2 New FDA Approved GC Meds
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Dr. Chapa

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid, upbeat briefing on two brand-new FDA-approved oral medications for gonorrhea, a pressing topic due to rising antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Chapa highlights the mechanisms, uses, and significance of these drugs (Jepotidacin/Blue Jipa and Zolifloticin/Nuzolvence), providing clinical context for practitioners eager to stay on the cutting edge. The tone is energetic and accessible, with Dr. Chapa’s characteristic humor and enthusiasm for “hot off the presses” news in women’s health.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. The Urgency for New Gonorrhea Treatments

• Rising resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae has made the current first-line therapy (ceftriaxone) more fragile.
• Oral options are in high demand for patients who dislike or avoid injections.

Memorable Moment:

"Just over the last few days, there's been a lot of progress on the war against gonorrhea... These are new weapons in that arsenal against something that we were really concerned about."
— Dr. Chapa [01:33]

2. Overview of the Two New Medications

Jepotidacin (Brand: Blue Jipa)

• FDA Approval Date: December 11, 2025
• Formulation: Tablet
• Indications:
  • Previously approved for urinary tract infection (UTI) in March 2025
  • Now approved for oral treatment of gonorrhea in patients 12+ who lack alternative options
• Mechanism:
  • Inhibits type 2 topoisomerase, limiting bacterial DNA replication
  • Dual-function antibiotic from a brand new drug class
• Clinical Pearls:
  • Not first-line—reserved for those with injection aversion or no access to ceftriaxone
  • Warning: Potential for QT prolongation and hypersensitivity
• Quote:

  "Blue Jeopa does have a specific warning. Blue Jeepa carries a warning that potentially can cause QT prolongation and some allergic reactions. So you just gotta, you know, be aware of that."
  — Dr. Chapa [12:03]

Zolifloticin (Brand: Nuzolvence)

• FDA Approval Date: December 13, 2025
• Formulation: Dissolvable granules (mixed with water, single-dose)
• Indications:
  • Oral treatment for gonorrhea in adults and children 12+
• Mechanism:
  • Same molecular target as Blue Jipa: inhibits type 2 topoisomerase
  • “First in class single dose oral antibiotic”
• Clinical Pearls:
  • Also not first-line, but offers a non-injectable solution
  • Granule formulation is similar to azithromycin powder packets
• Quote:

  "This is not a pill... Remember that Zolifloticin is granules that dissolve in water. Almost like the old monorail... New solvents is a Solvent made of granules that dissolve in water. So single dose."
  — Dr. Chapa [07:26]

3. Current First-Line Standard and Place in Therapy

• Ceftriaxone remains the mainstay, administered intramuscularly and dosed based on weight:
  • Under 150 kg: 500 mg IM
  • Over 150 kg: 1 gram IM

Quote:

"Still first line is ceftriaxone and it is weight based. Remember that under 150 kilos, then the dose for ceftriaxone is 500 milligrams. And if you're above 150 kilos... you move up... to 1 gram."
— Dr. Chapa [02:51]

4. What Makes These Drugs Significant?

• Both represent entirely new classes of antibiotics—first time in 30+ years for gonorrhea.
• Key advantage: as novel agents, Neisseria gonorrhoeae hasn’t yet developed resistance.
• Provides much-needed flexibility for providers and patients alike.

Quote:

"This is the first new antibiotic class approved in over three decades... So there is some good news here. I mean, we need as much medications available to treat these potentially dangerous infections."
— Dr. Chapa [11:17]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On urgency and progress:

  "...maybe there should be a war [on] gonorrhea... two brand new oral treatments for gonorrhea which are desperately needed because... the rise in resistance in that bad bug."
  — Dr. Chapa [01:33]

• On mechanisms:

  "They work by inhibiting a crucial bacterial enzyme called type 2 topoisomerase. Duh."
  — Dr. Chapa [06:27]

• On novelty:

  "Both of these seem to have no resistance based on the gonococcal bacteria. The gonococcal bacteria can't really figure out how to destroy this medication because it is so new."
  — Dr. Chapa [11:03]

• Humor and relatability:

  "Oh, please, man. So easy. They work by inhibiting a crucial bacterial enzyme called type 2 topoisomerase. Duh."
  — Dr. Chapa [06:27]
  "Oh, my gosh. Michael, leave that in. Don’t edit that out!"
  — Dr. Chapa [06:22]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Overview of Gonorrhea and Resistance: [01:10–02:51]
• Discussion of New Drug Approvals and Names: [02:51–04:16]
• Mechanisms & Formulations Explained: [06:10–08:05]
• Detailed Focus – Nuzolvence and Blue Jipa: [08:05–12:03]
• Clinical Context and Warnings: [12:03–13:26]
• Closing Recap: [13:26–13:58]

Tone and Takeaways

Dr. Chapa maintains an energetic, informal, and encouraging style, peppered with humor but clear clinical take-homes. The episode equips listeners with practical, up-to-the-minute knowledge on two new options for treating gonorrhea—emphasizing their novel mechanisms, appropriate use, and importance against the backdrop of resistance.

Main takeaway:
Two new oral, non-injectable antibiotics (Blue Jipa and Nuzolvence) have just joined the treatment arsenal for gonorrhea, offering hope for patients and providers facing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.