What should I do if I become drug-resistant to Bedaquiline?

Bedaquiline tablets (Bedaquiline) is a drug used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). However, like other anti-tuberculosis drugs, the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that use Bedaquiline Tablets may also develop drug resistance, resulting in reduced or ineffective efficacy of Bedaquiline Tablets. In the event of resistance to bedaquiline tablets, the following are some possible responses.

1.Resistance test: When the therapeutic effect of bedaquiline tablets is reduced, a drug resistance test should be performed first. Resistance testing determines the susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to bedaquiline tablets. This can help determine the cause of resistance and guide the selection of subsequent treatment strategies.

2.Combination treatment plan: After resistance to bedaquiline tablets, it is necessary to re-evaluate and develop a new treatment plan. A common strategy is to combine multiple potent anti-tuberculosis drugs to increase the effectiveness of treatment. Resistance testing results will guide the selection of additional drug combinations appropriate for the patient.

3.Individualized treatment: For patients who are resistant to bedaquiline tablets, the treatment plan needs to be individualized. This includes considering factors such as a patient's resistance pattern, severity of illness, load of resistant bacteria, and more to develop an optimal treatment plan. This requires professional medical guidance and close monitoring.

4.Drug development and research: The emergence of drug resistance to bedaquiline tablets highlights the urgency of the problem of drug resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs. To address this problem, continued development and research into anti-tuberculosis drugs is crucial. Efforts are being made to develop new drugs and investigate new uses for other existing drugs to increase treatment options and combat drug resistance.

5.Patient support and education: Resistance to bedaquiline tablets can be a challenge and psychological burden for patients. Providing patient support and education, including explaining the causes of resistance to bedaquiline tablets, treatment options and management measures, and encouraging patients to actively participate in the treatment plan can help improve treatment effectiveness and patients' psychological state.

It needs to be emphasized that the emergence of resistance to bedaquiline tablets is a serious problem that requires comprehensive consideration and management. Only under the guidance of professional doctors and formulating treatment plans based on drug resistance test results and individualized circumstances can treatment effects be maximized and the risk of recurrence and transmission reduced.

The emergence of drug resistance to bedaquiline tablets reminds us that it is very important to prevent and control the development of drug resistance in tuberculosis. This includes completing the full course of treatment in strict accordance with medical instructions, rational use of anti-tuberculosis drugs, strengthening tuberculosis monitoring and drug resistance monitoring and other measures to reduce the occurrence and spread of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In short, the emergence of resistance to bedaquiline tablets requires re-evaluation and adjustment of treatment plans. Individualized treatment, resistance testing, drug development and research, patient support and education are key measures to deal with resistance to bedaquiline tablets. Preventing and controlling the development of drug resistance in tuberculosis is also important. Through comprehensive management and comprehensive intervention, we can better deal with the problem of bedaquiline tablet resistance and improve the treatment effect and management level of tuberculosis.

Bedaquiline tablets have been launched in China and have been included in Class B medical insurance. Patients can buy it domestically, but the price is very high. The price of 100mg*24tablets is around 15,000 yuan. For specific prices, please consult the local hospital pharmacy. There are only original drugs abroad, and the more cost-effective ones are Russian original drugs. The price of 100mg*188 tablets is also about 15,000 yuan. The specifications are about 8 times that of domestic ones. Relatively speaking, the price is still very cheap compared to domestic ones. And the ingredients of domestic and foreign original drugs are consistent.