Key takeaways:
Blujepa (gepotidacin) is a prescription antibiotic that treats urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 5 days. It targets the bacteria causing your infection in a way that’s different from other UTI antibiotics. It can also treat uncomplicated gonorrhea in just 2 doses.
Most Blujepa side effects are mild and don’t last long. The most common ones are diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. These generally go away once you finish your prescription.
Serious Blujepa side effects are rare. Contact your prescriber right away if anything feels unusual, such as an abnormal heartbeat or difficulty speaking.
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Antibiotics that work in just 5 days, such as Blujepa (gepotidacin), offer a lot of advantages. This newer treatment option is specifically designed for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women and girls ages 12 and older who weigh at least 88 lbs (40 kg). What sets Blujepa apart is its ability to target infection-causing bacteria in a way that’s different from other UTI antibiotics.
What's more, as of December 2025, Blujepa can treat uncomplicated gonorrhea in 2 doses in certain people ages 12 and older.
Blujepa is well tolerated by most people. But even treatments that can be completed in a few days come with some side effects. Most side effects are mild and short-lived.
Blujepa side effects at a glance
Common and mild Blujepa side effects include:
Diarrhea
Soft stools
Nausea
Stomach pain
Gassiness
Yeast infections
Headache
Dizziness
Fatigue
Excessive sweating
Bluejepa is also associated with rare but serious risks, including:
Severe diarrhea
Heart rhythm changes (QTc prolongation)
Difficulty speaking or trouble saying words clearly
Serious allergic reactions
Here, we’ll discuss managing seven of these Blujepa side effects, so you’ll know what to expect if you’re recovering from a UTI or gonorrhea.
1. Diarrhea
Diarrhea and soft stools are some of the most common side effects you may experience while taking Blujepa. These changes often show up within the first 2 days of starting the medication. In most cases, diarrhea lasts about 4 days and goes away after you finish taking Blujepa.
You can manage diarrhea by increasing your fluid intake to replace what you’re losing. For example, do your best to drink water or electrolyte-containing liquids. Sucking on ice chips and ice pops can also help.
At the same time, avoid foods that can make your diarrhea worse, such as alcohol, caffeine, and greasy foods. Stick to bland, easy-to-digest options like bananas, white rice, and toast while your symptoms improve. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist for antidiarrheal recommendations if you’re still having issues.
In very rare cases, some people may develop a serious gut infection called Clostridioides difficile colitis several weeks after taking Blujepa. Possible symptoms include:
Fever
Bloody or watery diarrhea
Diarrhea that doesn’t go away
Stomach pain or cramps
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Contact a healthcare professional right away if you’re having severe or persistent diarrhea alongside symptoms like these. Don’t try to treat this type of diarrhea on your own at home; it typically requires prescription antibiotics and close medical supervision.
2. Nausea
Some people taking Blujepa experience relatively mild nausea. If you’re feeling nauseated, here are some tips to help ease your stomach discomfort:
Try to avoid foods that are spicy or greasy. They’re more likely to irritate your stomach and make your nausea worse.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals (instead of fewer, larger ones).
Take your upcoming Blujepa doses with food. That’s because taking Blujepa with a meal or snack can help reduce stomach-related side effects. Don’t take it on an empty stomach.
Blujepa nausea usually resolves quickly. Speak with a healthcare professional if it continues or becomes difficult to manage. They can adjust your treatment plan if necessary to minimize feelings of nausea so you can put your infection in the rearview mirror.
3. Stomach pain
Stomach pain can be uncomfortable, whether it’s caused by a heavy meal or a medication side effect. Some people in Blujepa’s clinical studies reported stomach pain, including tenderness, cramping, or discomfort in the upper or lower stomach, but it was usually short-lived.
To reduce stomach irritation, try taking your Blujepa doses with a meal or snack. It can be tough on your stomach if you take it on an empty one. It’s also a good idea to avoid foods that can upset your digestive system while taking antibiotics, like spicy meals, acidic foods (such as tomato sauce or citrus), and caffeine.
Tell your healthcare team if your stomach pain feels severe at any point or gets worse over time. They can evaluate your symptoms and see if any adjustments to your UTI or gonorrhea treatment are necessary. Listening to your body and staying in touch with your care team can help keep you on track with Blujepa and reduce stomach pain.
4. Gassiness
Feeling gassy or bloated is uncomfortable. And it can feel embarrassing when it happens at the wrong time. Gassiness isn’t common with Blujepa, but it can happen.
Some simple tips can go a long way to ease bloating while taking Blujepa. Eating slowly, avoiding or minimizing carbonated drinks, and limiting foods known to cause gas can make a difference. This includes beans, broccoli, and onions. You might also find relief with peppermint or ginger tea, which help calm your digestive tract.
Gassiness tends to go away as your body adjusts to the medication. Speak with a pharmacist if you’re still finding your symptoms to be bothersome. They can recommend an over-the-counter product, such as simethicone (Gas-X).
5. Yeast infections
Vaginal yeast infections are a rare occurrence with Blujepa. Yeast infection symptoms may include vaginal itching, irritation, or unusual discharge.
Talk to a healthcare professional if you think you have a yeast infection. If you do have one, they can recommend an over-the-counter medication to treat it, such as topical miconazole (Monistat) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). Alternatively, they may recommend a prescription-strength antifungal. Yeast infections should clear up within a few days after starting treatment.
What’s more, some proactive measures can decrease your chances of getting a yeast infection in the first place. Wearing cotton underwear, avoiding tight-fitting pants, and changing out of sweaty clothes as soon as possible can all help support your vaginal health.
Good to know: It’s important to keep taking Blujepa as prescribed — even if you develop a yeast infection. Finishing your antibiotic is important to fully treat your infection so it doesn’t come back in a form that’s harder to treat.
6. Slurred speech (and other cholinergic side effects)
Blujepa may cause cholinergic side effects. This means that it raises the amount (and activity) of a chemical called acetylcholine in your body. Excessive acetylcholine can cause problems such as slurred speech or saying words clearly. Other cholinergic symptoms may include:
Having a lot of saliva in your mouth
Sweating
Muscle spasms
Vomiting
In rare cases, you may also experience:
Seizures
Fainting
Difficulty breathing
Tightness in your chest
Abnormal heart beat
Most people won’t encounter these issues. But the risk may be higher if you’re also taking other medications that have similar effects, such as donepezil (Aricept) or rivastigmine (Exelon). If you’re a caregiver for someone who takes one of these Alzheimer’s medications, make sure to look for possible side effects.
Contact a healthcare professional if you think you’re experiencing any type of cholinergic side effects due to Blujepa. They can offer management tips on a case-by-case basis.
7. Heart rhythm changes
Blujepa may rarely cause changes to your heart rhythm. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy, having an abnormal heartbeat, and fainting are all possible signs that something isn’t right with your heart rhythm.
Heart rhythm problems are more likely to happen if you’re taking other medications that also affect your heart. The risk is also higher if you have preexisting heart, kidney, or liver impairment.
Go to an ER if you think you’re actively having heart rhythm problems. Always tell a healthcare professional about heart conditions you’ve had in the past and medications for heart rhythm problems.
The bottom line
Blujepa (gepotidacin) is an antibiotic that treats urinary tract infections (UTIs) and gonorrhea. Most people are able to tolerate Blujepa without issues, but some experience side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. These are usually mild and go away once the prescription is finished. Some people may also experience gassiness, headaches, or yeast infections, but these are less common. Serious Blujepa side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythm and difficulty speaking, are rare but require immediate medical attention. Tell a healthcare professional if anything feels unusual after starting Blujepa.
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References
GlaxoSmithKline. (2025). Blujepa (gepotidacin) approved by US FDA as oral option for treatment of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea (uGC).
GlaxoSmithKline. (2025). Blujepa- gepotidacin tablet, film coated [package insert].
Hudson, E. L., et al. (2022). Cholinergic toxicity. StatPearls.
Perry, C., et al. (2022). Design of two phase III, randomized, multicenter studies comparing gepotidacin with nitrofurantoin for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in female participants. Infectious Diseases and Therapy.
Sam, C., et al. (2023). Physiology, acetylcholine. StatPearls.
Watkins, R. R., et al. (2023). Gepotidacin: a novel, oral, ’first-in-class’ triazaacenaphthylene antibiotic for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections and urogenital gonorrhoea. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
