Sexual health
Medicines for Gonorrhoea
A common bacterial sexually transmitted infection causing discharge and pain, though often symptomless — treated with antibiotics, with rising resistance making correct treatment and follow-up important.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection, passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, and from mother to baby during birth. Symptoms, when present, can include a thick discharge from the vagina or penis, pain on passing urine, and, depending on the site of infection, throat or rectal symptoms; some infections cause no symptoms.
- How it is treated: Gonorrhoea is diagnosed with a swab or urine test and treated with antibiotics, usually including an injection, given at a sexual health clinic.
- Self-care: Using condoms, regular STI testing when sexually active or changing partners, and ensuring partners are tested and treated help prevent gonorrhoea and its spread.
- When to seek help: Get tested at a sexual health clinic if you have symptoms (discharge, pain passing urine) or a partner has an STI, or for routine screening.
What it is
Gonorrhoea is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection, passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, and from mother to baby during birth. Symptoms, when present, can include a thick discharge from the vagina or penis, pain on passing urine, and, depending on the site of infection, throat or rectal symptoms; some infections cause no symptoms. In women it can cause bleeding between periods. Untreated, it can spread and cause pelvic inflammatory disease and affect fertility, cause painful infection in the testicles, and rarely spread through the body. Antibiotic resistance is an increasing concern, making correct treatment and a follow-up test important.
How it is treated
Gonorrhoea is diagnosed with a swab or urine test and treated with antibiotics, usually including an injection, given at a sexual health clinic. Because of rising antibiotic resistance, a follow-up test is recommended to confirm the infection has cleared, and treatment is guided by up-to-date resistance patterns. Recent sexual partners should be tested and treated, and sex avoided until treatment is complete and confirmed clear as advised. Testing is free and confidential, and regular testing is recommended for those at higher risk. Condoms reduce the risk of catching or passing on gonorrhoea and other STIs.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Gonorrhoea
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Using condoms, regular STI testing when sexually active or changing partners, and ensuring partners are tested and treated help prevent gonorrhoea and its spread. Completing treatment and attending the follow-up test are important.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Get tested at a sexual health clinic if you have symptoms (discharge, pain passing urine) or a partner has an STI, or for routine screening. See a doctor for pelvic or testicular pain or fever.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Gonorrhoea: frequently asked questions
How is gonorrhoea treated?
With antibiotics, usually including an injection, at a sexual health clinic, followed by a test to confirm it has cleared — important because of rising antibiotic resistance. Partners should also be tested and treated.
Why does antibiotic resistance matter in gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea bacteria are increasingly resistant to some antibiotics, so treatment follows up-to-date guidance and a follow-up test confirms the infection has cleared.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Gonorrhoea
- BASHH — Gonorrhoea guidance
Related conditions
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