Drug interactions
Bedaquiline + Methadone
Severity: Major
Bedaquiline and Methadone: 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, and combined use may increase the risk of torsades de pointes and other serious ventricular arrhythmias. Risk rises with electrolyte disturbances, cardiac disease or other QT-prolonging drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bedaquiline and Methadone 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; Methadone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through cardiac potassium channel (hERG) blockade.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor it regularly during co-therapy, correcting potassium, magnesium and calcium. Consider alternatives or stop the offending 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 Methadone
- Alvimopan + Methadone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Methadone Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Methadone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Methadone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Methadone Contraindicated
- Lefamulin + Methadone 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 Methadone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Bedaquiline and Methadone 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, and combined use may increase the risk of torsades de pointes and other serious ventricular arrhythmias. Risk rises with electrolyte disturbances, cardiac disease or other QT-prolonging drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Bedaquiline and Methadone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor it regularly during co-therapy, correcting potassium, magnesium and calcium. Consider alternatives or stop the offending drugs if QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
What other medicines interact with Methadone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methadone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Droperidol. The full list is on the Methadone page.
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