Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking bedaquiline and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily for the first 2 weeks, followed by 3 times a week for the next 22 weeks. The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment. Children's dosage is also based on weight.

The manufacturer directs to swallow the 100-milligram tablets whole. However, many similar drugs (immediate-release tablets) can be split/crushed. Follow your doctor's direction on how to take this medication.

If you are using the 20-milligram tablets and do not have trouble swallowing tablets, swallow the tablets (whole or split) with water.

If you are using the 20-milligram tablets and have trouble swallowing tablets, you may take your dose 2 different ways: (1) Add your dose (up to 5 tablets) to 1 teaspoonful (5 milliliters) of water in a cup and mix well. You can then either swallow the mixture right away, or you can add the mixture to at least 1 teaspoonful (5 milliliters) of beverage or soft food and take right away. Examples of beverages you can take this with include water, milk products, apple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, or carbonated beverages. Soft foods such as yogurt, apple sauce, mashed banana, or porridge may also be used. Make sure to take all of your dose by rinsing the cup with beverage or soft food and swallowing right away. (2) Crush tablets and mix with soft food. Soft foods such as yogurt, apple sauce, mashed banana, or porridge may be used. Mix well and take all of the mixture right away. Make sure to take all of your dose by adding more soft food and swallowing right away. Do not prepare a mixed dose ahead of time.

The 20-milligram tablets may also be given through a feeding tube. For specific directions, ask your health care professional.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. If you are taking this medication daily, take it at the same time each day. If you are taking this medication 3 times a week, take it at least 48 hours apart on the same days of the week (for example, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) at the same time of day. Mark the days on the calendar when you need to take the medication.

Continue to take this medication (and other TB medications) until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early or skipping doses may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.