Could your mouthwash fight gonorrhea? new study investigates

NCT ID NCT04966507

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether using an antibacterial mouthwash every day could lower the chance of getting gonorrhea in the throat. Researchers recruited 89 HIV-positive and HIV-negative men at high risk. Participants gargled with either Listerine or a placebo mouthwash daily. The study looked at how well people stuck with the routine and whether the mouthwash reduced infections.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash (active ingredients: eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, thymol)

What this could lead to

If it works, daily mouthwash could become a simple, low-cost way to help prevent throat gonorrhea infections.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with only 89 participants. The mouthwash may not reduce infections enough to be meaningful, and results may not apply to the general population.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

gonorrhea prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Los Angeles LGBT Center

    Los Angeles, California, 90028, United States