Listerine ‘doesn’t prevent gonorrhoea infection of the throat’

Despite early research suggesting antiseptic mouthwash could reduce asymptomatic infection and thus curb transmission rates, two randomised trials have failed to show a benefit

Daily use of antiseptic mouthwash does not prevent the acquisition of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and other bacterial STI in gay and bisexual men, new research shows.

In recent years, clinicians have investigated the potential for Listerine as a non-antibiotic intervention to curb N. gonorrhoeae transmission in men who have sex with men (MSM) given the high prevalence of asymptomatic infection of the throat.