How long does it take for bedaquiline side effects to usually begin?

Bedaquiline is a new anti-tuberculosis drug used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). It has a bactericidal effect by inhibiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis ATP synthase. As a relatively powerful drug, bedaquiline may cause certain side effects in the early stages of treatment, so it is necessary to pay close attention to the patient's physical reaction during medication.

Typically, bedaquiline side effects may develop gradually over the days to weeks after starting the medication. The most common adverse reactions include nausea, joint pain, headache and fatigue, which usually appear within the first two weeks of taking the drug. Due to the long half-life of the drug, the onset of side effects may be slower, but the duration may also be longer. Some patients do not experience obvious discomfort at the beginning of taking the drug, but gradually develop symptoms as the course of treatment progresses.

In addition, bedaquiline may cause more serious adverse reactions, such as prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram. This side effect usually begins to appear 2 to 4 weeks after taking the medication, so doctors usually recommend that patients perform ECG monitoring during the early stages of treatment (especially the first month) to detect abnormal heart rhythms in time. The risk may be higher in patients with existing heart disease or who are taking other drugs that may affect the QT interval.
In general, the side effects of bedaquiline mostly appear within days to weeks after starting treatment, and some adverse reactions are delayed. In order to ensure the safety of medication, patients should regularly undergo liver function, electrocardiogram and other related examinations under the guidance of a doctor, especially during the first month to closely monitor the body's response. If you have severe discomfort, you should stop taking the medicine immediately and contact a professional doctor for treatment.
Reference: https://www.drugs.com/