Gonorrhea Treatment: The Ceftriaxone Shot, New Oral Options and Retesting
Written by Naurah Gaspard, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC · Medically reviewed by Cherlie Joseph, MSN, FNP-BC · Updated November 2026
Gonorrhea is treated with a single injection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone, which CDC recommends as first-line treatment. If chlamydia hasn't been ruled out, a 7-day course of doxycycline is added. Two new oral antibiotics were FDA-approved in December 2025, but they are meant for people with few or no other treatment options.
In this guide
The standard treatment: one ceftriaxone shot
Gonorrhea bacteria have become resistant to many antibiotics over the years, including penicillin, tetracyclines and, more recently, some fluoroquinolones and azithromycin. That is why CDC's current recommendation for uncomplicated gonorrhea of the genitals, rectum or throat is a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone, with a higher dose for people weighing 150 kg (about 330 lb) or more.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia often travel together. If you haven't tested negative for chlamydia, your provider will usually add doxycycline twice a day for 7 days (or another option if you are pregnant).
New oral options approved in 2025
In December 2025, the FDA approved two new antibiotics for uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea, the first new gonorrhea treatments in decades:
| Drug | Form | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Gepotidacin (Blujepa) | Oral tablets | People 12+ with few or no other options (also approved earlier for UTIs) |
| Zoliflodacin (Nuzolvence) | Granules mixed in water, one dose | People 12+ with few or no other options |
These are important tools against drug-resistant gonorrhea, but they are approved for genital and urinary infections, not throat or rectal infections, and they are reserved for situations like a severe ceftriaxone allergy or resistant infection. For most people, the shot is still the go-to. Ask your provider whether either is appropriate for you.
Worried about gonorrhea? Start with an online visit and testing plan.
$79 visit, no appointment needed. Adults 18+ in FL, NM, OR and WA.
Start a visit →What to do after treatment
- Wait 7 days after treatment, and until your partners are treated and your symptoms are gone, before having sex.
- Tell partners from the last 60 days so they can be tested and treated.
- Retest in about three months, even if your partners were treated, because reinfection is common.
- Throat (pharyngeal) gonorrhea is harder to cure, so CDC recommends a test of cure 7 to 14 days after treatment.
- If symptoms last more than a few days after treatment, get rechecked. Your provider may order a culture to check for resistance.
Complications of untreated gonorrhea
Untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy, and epididymitis in men. Rarely it spreads through the blood (disseminated gonococcal infection), causing fever, joint pain or swelling, and skin sores; this needs urgent, in-person care.
Reported gonorrhea cases fell about 10% from 2023 to 2024, according to CDC provisional data, the third straight year of decline. Drug resistance remains a top concern, which is why finishing treatment and retesting matter.
Can gonorrhea be treated online?
Partly. An online visit is a good first step: a nurse practitioner licensed in your state can review your symptoms and exposure, order the right tests (urine, plus throat or rectal swabs if needed), prescribe doxycycline for chlamydia when appropriate, and help you arrange the ceftriaxone injection at a nearby clinic, urgent care or county health department. We'll be clear about what can and can't be done remotely.
Get in-person care or call 911 if you have:
- Fever with joint pain, swollen joints or a new skin rash
- Severe pelvic or lower belly pain, especially with fever or vomiting
- Sudden or severe testicle pain or swelling
- Eye redness with pus after possible exposure
Frequently asked questions
Can gonorrhea be treated with pills only?
Usually not. CDC recommends a ceftriaxone injection for most people. Two newer oral drugs, gepotidacin (Blujepa) and zoliflodacin (Nuzolvence), were approved in December 2025 for genital and urinary gonorrhea in people with few or no other options, such as a serious ceftriaxone allergy.
How long after treatment is gonorrhea gone?
A single ceftriaxone shot cures most infections. Wait 7 days after treatment, and until partners are treated, before having sex. Throat infections should have a test of cure 7 to 14 days later.
Do I need to retest after gonorrhea treatment?
Yes. CDC recommends retesting about three months after treatment because reinfection is common, even when partners were treated.
Sources
- CDC: Gonococcal Infections Among Adolescents and Adults, STI Treatment Guidelines
- CDC: About Gonorrhea
- Drug Topics: Zoliflodacin and gepotidacin receive FDA approval for gonorrhea
Keep reading
- Chlamydia Treatment: Doxycycline, What to Expect and When to Retest
- STD Symptoms in Men: Discharge, Burning, Sores and the Signs That Are Easy to Miss
- Sore throat on one side: causes and when to get care
- Browse all conditions and treatments A to Z
Worried about gonorrhea? Start with an online visit and testing plan.
$79 visit, no appointment needed. Adults 18+ in FL, NM, OR and WA.
Start a visit →
Naurah Gaspard, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Board-certified family nurse practitioner licensed in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, caring for adults online at OurTopClinic. Meet our providers.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Treatment, including any prescription, is decided by a licensed provider after reviewing your health history. OurTopClinic is not for emergencies; if you have a medical emergency, call 911. OurTopClinic serves adults located in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. Learn more at ourtopclinic.com.
