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Overview: Nuzolvence is an antibiotic that is used to treat gonorrhea. It is a one-time dose and comes as granules that are mixed with water before swallowing. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, and nausea. Diarrhea is another common side effect, but it can sometimes be a sign of a serious intestinal infection. Contact your health care provider right away if you have frequent, severe, or bloody diarrhea after taking Nuzolvence. Also contact your health care provider right away if you have a rash or itching, as these could be symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Uses

What is Nuzolvence used for?

Nuzolvence (zoliflodacin) is commonly used to treat certain people with gonorrhea, which is a sexually transmitted disease.

Nuzolvence may not be the right medicine for some infections, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to Nuzolvence, which will make it not work as well.

Learn more about Nuzolvence for gonorrhea.

Nuzolvence may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Nuzolvence work (mechanism of action)?

Nuzolvence is an antibiotic. It works by blocking the actions of certain enzymes that some bacteria need to copy their DNA. When these enzymes do not work properly, the bacteria cannot multiply.

How is Nuzolvence supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Nuzolvence

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 3 g packet of granules for oral suspension

How should I store Nuzolvence?

Nuzolvence should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not freeze.

Nuzolvence granules must be mixed with water before taking the dose. If you do not take the dose within 15 minutes of mixing, throw it away and call your health care provider for a new dose.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Nuzolvence?

The most common side effects of Nuzolvence are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Nuzolvence that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Nuzolvence?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Nuzolvence are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Nuzolvence may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Nuzolvence. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which can be serious or life-threatening and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Frequent or watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps or cramps that do not go away or come back
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Nuzolvence?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Nuzolvence.

  • Nuzolvence 
  • Zoliflodacin
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Nuzolvence.

Drug Interactions. Nuzolvence should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Nuzolvence, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Nuzolvence before using it?

Do not take Nuzolvence unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Nuzolvence with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Nuzolvence out of the reach of children.

Nuzolvence comes as a kit with granules. The granules must be mixed with water before taking the medicine by mouth. Do not mix Nuzolvence into any other liquid or foods. Do not take the granules dry without mixing them in water first. The mixture needs to be shaken well for at least 60 seconds to prepare the dose. You must drink the entire dose within 15 minutes of mixing. Read and follow the instructions that come with the medicine and make sure you or a caregiver understand how to prepare and take Nuzolvence properly. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

Use the measuring device that comes with your prescription to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure what measuring device to use.

If you can get a partner pregnant, you should use effective birth control for at least 3 months (90 days) after taking Nuzolvence. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

Nuzolvence may cause harm to the testicles, lower sperm count, or harm sperm. It may also make it hard for you to get your partner pregnant. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.

Nuzolvence only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold, the flu, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other infections that are not caused by certain bacteria. Taking Nuzolvence or any other antibiotic when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Nuzolvence?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Nuzolvence is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Pregnancy. Nuzolvence may cause harm to an unborn baby. If you can get pregnant, you should have a test to make sure you are not pregnant before taking Nuzolvence. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. If you take Nuzolvence while pregnant, you can sign up for a pregnancy safety study by calling the drugmaker at 800-651-3861. This study collects information about the safety of using Nuzolvence during pregnancy. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Nuzolvence passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should breastfeed during or after your dose of Nuzolvence.

How can I get more information about Nuzolvence?

For more information about Nuzolvence, you can call the drugmaker at 800-651-3861.

Interactions

Does Nuzolvence interact with foods or drinks?

Your body weight can affect how well you absorb Nuzolvence and whether you need to take it with food. If you weigh 110 pounds (50 kilograms) or more, you should take Nuzolvence with food. If you weigh less than 110 pounds, you should take Nuzolvence on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Talk with your pharmacist or other health care provider about how to take Nuzolvence properly.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Nuzolvence. Heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink when you take Nuzolvence.

Does Nuzolvence interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Nuzolvence.

  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Efavirenz, which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Nuzolvence, which may make it not work as well. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Nuzolvence. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Nuzolvence?

If you or someone else has used too much Nuzolvence, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Nuzolvence?

Nuzolvence is a single dose. It is important to take this dose exactly as prescribed, even if your symptoms get better or go away.