Bedaquiline fumarate

Bedaquiline fumarate is an antibiotic used in the treatment of tuberculosis. It is marketed under the brand name Sirturo by Janssen Pharmaceutica, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Bedaquiline fumarate is specifically used for the treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

History

Bedaquiline fumarate was approved by the FDA in 2012, making it the first new drug to be approved for tuberculosis treatment in over 40 years. The drug was developed in response to the growing global health concern of MDR-TB.

Mechanism of Action

Bedaquiline fumarate works by inhibiting the ATP synthase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. This action disrupts the bacterium's energy production, leading to its death.

Side Effects

Common side effects of bedaquiline fumarate include nausea, joint pain, and headache. More serious side effects can include heart problems and liver damage. Due to these potential risks, bedaquiline fumarate is typically reserved for cases where other treatments have failed.

Resistance

As with all antibiotics, there is a risk of the development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria. To minimize this risk, bedaquiline fumarate is usually given in combination with other tuberculosis drugs.

See Also

• Tuberculosis
• Antibiotic resistance
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Janssen Pharmaceutica
• FDA