1. LEPROSY
Treatment

2. DRUGS OF CHOICE
 In 1981 the World Health Organization (WHO) Study
Group made the recommendation for leprosy patients
to receive multidrug therapy (MDT).
 MDT is made up of three drugs: dapsone, rifampicin
and clofazimine.
 Varying on the type of leprosy MDT can cure patients
in 6 to 12 months.
 Multibacillary (MB) leprosy
 For adults the standard regimen is: Rifampicin: 600 mg
once a month Dapsone: 100 mg daily Clofazimine: 300 mg
once a month and 50 mg daily Duration= 12 months.
 Paucibacillary (PB) leprosy
 For adults the standard regimen is: Rifampicin: 600 mg
once a month Dapsone: 100 mg daily Duration= six months

3. DRUGS OF CHOICE CONTINUED
 Other antibiotics include minocycline, ofloxacin
and clarithromycin.
 Aspirin, prednisone, or thalidomide are used to
control inflammation.
 Oral corticosteroids and thalidomide are helpful
in preventing nerve damage by reducing swelling.
 While not a medication surgery is often used for
reconstruction or drainage.
 After the first dose the patient is no longer
contagious and when treatment is finished there
are no relapses in the disease.

4. CLASSIFICATION OF DRUG
 Dapsone: Antibacterial
 Rifampicin: Antituberculosis agent, Antibiotic
 Clofazimine: Antibacterial

5. PREFERRED ROUTE OF
ADMINISTRATION
 PO
 Multi­drug therapy is available to patients in a
monthly calendar blister pack.

6. AVAILABILITY OF DRUG
 WHO has provided free MDT around the world
since 1995, made possible by the Nippon
Foundation and Novartis and the Novartis
Foundation.

7. BARRIERS
 Before 1960 the only known drug for leprosy was
dapsone, but M. leprea started to develop
resistance. The other two drugs were added later.
 Patients must be encouraged to finish the long
treatment or they are at risk for relapse.
 The change of focus from leprosy to other
diseases such as AIDS in places like Africa and
India.

8. REFERENCES
 HTTP://WWW.WHO.INT/MEDIACENTRE/FACTSHEETS/F
 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001347.htm
 http://dermnetnz.org/bacterial/leprosy.html
 http://www.who.int/lep/mdt/regimens/en/index.html