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Overview: Blujepa is used to treat bladder infections. Common side effects include diarrhea, soft poop, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or gas. Taking this medicine after you eat may help reduce any stomach upset.  Tell your health care provider right away if you have changes in your heart rate or rhythm or bloody or watery diarrhea.

Uses

What is Blujepa used for?

Blujepa (gepotidacin) is commonly used to treat bladder infections. 

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

Your Guide to Blujepa for Bladder Infections

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

How does Blujepa work (mechanism of action)?

Blujepa works by killing certain types of bacteria. It blocks the action of enzymes that bacteria need to copy their DNA. Without these enzymes, the bacteria cannot survive or multiply.

How is Blujepa supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Blujepa

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 750 mg oral tablets

How should I store Blujepa?

Blujepa 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.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Blujepa?

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

  • Diarrhea, soft poop, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or gas
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Vaginal yeast infections

There may be other side effects of Blujepa 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 Blujepa?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Blujepa may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Blujepa and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • 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
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • 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 Blujepa. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea 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.

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

Cholinergic Effects. Blujepa can increase the amount of a substance normally in your body called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is very important, but too much can cause serious problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Trouble saying words clearly
  • Trouble breathing or tightness in your chest
  • Faint
  • Abnormal or slow heartbeat
  • Seizures

Heart Rhythm Changes. Blujepa may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or who take medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Tell your health care provider right away if you faint, feel dizzy, or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, pounding, or skipping heartbeat.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Blujepa?

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

  • Blujepa 
  • Gepotidacin
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

What should I know about Blujepa before using it?

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

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

Keep Blujepa out of the reach of children.

Blujepa 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 bacteria. Taking Blujepa or any other antibiotic when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

Taking Blujepa after eating may reduce your risk of stomach or gut-related side effects. Ask your health care provider if you have any questions. 

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

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 Blujepa is right for you.

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

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • History of heart rhythm problems, such as QT prolongation, for you or your family
  • Electrolyte imbalance, such as low potassium levels
  • Slow heart rate
  • Recent heart attack
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems, including kidney failure or using dialysis
  • Upcoming surgery or procedure

Other Medicines and Supplements. Blujepa may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Blujepa, 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.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Blujepa could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Blujepa, you can sign up for the registry that will collect data on the use of Blujepa during pregnancy by calling 888-825-5249.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Blujepa 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 take Blujepa while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Blujepa?

For more information about Blujepa, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.blujepa.com or call them at 888-825-5249.

Interactions

Does Blujepa interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Blujepa and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Blujepa. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking Blujepa. 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. 

Does Blujepa 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 Blujepa.

  • A medicine used to control your heart rate or rhythm (antiarrhythmic)
  • An anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura) or ketoconazole, which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Quinidine, which is a medicine used to treat malaria or control your heart rate or rhythm 
  • Any medicine that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Blujepa, and vice versa. 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 Blujepa. 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 Blujepa?

If you or someone else has used too much Blujepa, 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 Blujepa?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then, continue with your normal dosing schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Blujepa, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Blujepa or other similar medicines.