Drug interactions
Bedaquiline + Gemifloxacin
Severity: Major
Bedaquiline and Gemifloxacin: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs prolong the QT interval, so combined use can raise the risk of torsades de pointes and other serious ventricular arrhythmias. The risk rises with electrolyte disturbance, bradycardia, or structural heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bedaquiline and Gemifloxacin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Bedaquiline belongs to Anti Bacterial; Gemifloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through cardiac potassium channel (hERG) blockade.
What to do
Avoid the combination when alternatives exist; if unavoidable, obtain a baseline and serial ECGs and correct potassium, magnesium and calcium. Stop the drugs if QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Gemifloxacin
- Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Bedaquiline
- Bedaquiline + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Alfuzosin + Bedaquiline Major
- Amiodarone + Bedaquiline Major
- Amisulpride + Bedaquiline Major
- Amitriptyline + Bedaquiline Major
- Amobarbital + Bedaquiline Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bedaquiline with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Bedaquiline and Gemifloxacin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs prolong the QT interval, so combined use can raise the risk of torsades de pointes and other serious ventricular arrhythmias. The risk rises with electrolyte disturbance, bradycardia, or structural heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Bedaquiline and Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination when alternatives exist; if unavoidable, obtain a baseline and serial ECGs and correct potassium, magnesium and calcium. Stop the drugs if QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
What other medicines interact with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gemifloxacin with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Gemifloxacin page.
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