Drug Interaction Report

Talk to your doctor before using bedaquiline together with eslicarbazepine. Combining these medications may reduce the blood levels of bedaquiline, which may decrease its effectiveness in treating tuberculosis. Using eslicarbazepine with bedaquiline may also increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with these medications, whether together or alone. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food significantly increases the absorption of bedaquiline. Therefore, you should take each dose of bedaquiline with food. Taking it on an empty stomach may lead to inadequate blood levels and reduced effectiveness of the medication in treating tuberculosis. Avoid alcohol during treatment with bedaquiline, as it may increase the risk of liver damage. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop signs and symptoms of liver damage such as fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, light colored stools, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.