Sirturo

(bedaquiline)

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Used to treat active tuberculosis when other medications cannot be used.

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Our bottom line

Sirturo (bedaquiline) is a great addition to tuberculosis regimens but only if your tuberculosis can't be treated with all of the typical tuberculosis drugs.

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Quick facts about Sirturo
  • Drug class: Infection
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: No lower cost generic available

Upsides

  • Sirturo (bedaquiline) is the first drug with a new method of treating multi-drug resistant tuberculosis to be developed in over 40 years.
  • After two weeks of taking Sirturo (bedaquiline) each day, you will only need to take it three times a week for the rest of your therapy.
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What to expect from Sirturo, on one page

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Downsides

  • Sirturo (bedaquiline) should not be taken alone to treat your tuberculosis. You must take it with at least 3 other medications.
  • It is recommended you take Sirturo (bedaquiline) by directly observed therapy or in front of a health worker.
  • Like other tuberculosis drugs, Sirturo (bedaquiline) has to be given for several months in order for it work properly (usually 6 months).
  • A study found an increased risk of death with Sirturo (bedaquiline). You can only take it when the standard tuberculosis treament is not enough to treat you of tuberculosis.
  • Sirturo (bedaquiline) cannot be used for latent (or non-active) tuberculosis or for tuberculosis that has spread outside the lungs.
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What to expect from Sirturo, on one page

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How it works

Sirturo (bedaquiline) works by blocking how the tuberculosis bacteria gets its energy. Without energy, the tuberculosis bacteria eventually dies.

Quick facts about Sirturo
  • Drug class: Infection
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: No lower cost generic available

Used for

  • Pulmonary tuberculosis

Dosage forms

  • Pill
Tried Sirturo? Write a review!

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Sirturo (bedaquiline) for Active tuberculosis

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  • First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
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  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few daysDays
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  • Possible side effects
  • Nausea
  • Joint pain
  • Headache
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain
  • Loss of appetite
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Side effect rates for Sirturo (bedaquiline)

From 160 clinical trials of Sirturo when taken for active tuberculosis
  • Nausea
    38%38%
    32%32%
  • Joint pain
    33%33%
    22%22%
  • Headache
    28%28%
    12%12%
  • Coughing up blood
    18%18%
    11%11%
  • Chest pain
    11%11%
    7%7%
  • Loss of appetite
    9%9%
    4%4%
  • Abnormal liver labs
    9%9%
    1%1%
  • Rash
    8%8%
    4%4%
  • Pancreatitis
    3%3%
    1%1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Sirturo.

Sirturo (bedaquiline)
Placebo

People taking Sirturo felt side effect more

People taking Sirturo felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Sirturo (bedaquiline)

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  • A study found an increased risk of death with Sirturo (bedaquiline). Only take it when the standard tuberculosis treament cannot be used.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Common concerns from people taking Sirturo (bedaquiline)

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Alcohol
  • Avoid alcohol and other other drugs that can harm your liver while taking Sirturo (bedaquiline).
Food
  • Sirturo (bedaquiline) should be swallowed whole with water and taken with food.
Kidneys and liver
  • Liver damage has been reported in people who use Sirturo (bedaquiline). Your doctor might do regular blood tests to check your liver.. If you notice yellowing of the eyes or the skin, or dark urine, talk to your doctor right away.