Drug Interactions between bedaquiline and fenfluramine

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system and cardiovascular effects of centrally-acting appetite suppressants. In one study, concurrent administration of methamphetamine (30 mg intravenously) and ethanol (1 gm/kg orally over 30 minutes) increased heart rate by 24 beats/minute compared to methamphetamine alone. This increases cardiac work and myocardial oxygen consumption, which may lead to more adverse cardiovascular effects than either agent alone. Subjective effects of ethanol were diminished in the eight study subjects, but those of methamphetamine were not affected. The pharmacokinetics of methamphetamine were also unaffected except for a decrease in the apparent volume of distribution at steady state.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of centrally-acting appetite suppressants and alcohol should be avoided if possible, especially in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. Patients should be counselled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food enhances the oral bioavailability of bedaquiline. When administered with a standard meal containing approximately 22 grams of fat (558 total Kcal), the relative bioavailability of bedaquiline increased by approximately 2-fold compared to administration under fasted conditions.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with alcohol may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity associated with the use of bedaquiline. In clinical trials, hepatic adverse drug reactions developed in more bedaquiline-treated patients than in those who received other drugs used to treat tuberculosis. In patients receiving bedaquiline or placebo in combination with other drugs used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, reversible aminotransferase elevations of at least 3 times the upper limit of normal developed more frequently in the bedaquiline treatment group [10.8%] than in the placebo group [5.7%].

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal oral absorption, bedaquiline should be taken with food. Patients should avoid alcohol use during treatment.