CLOFAZIMINE

Anti-leprotic antibacterial s

Dosage Forms

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Tablet

50 mg
100 mg

Uses

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  • Multibacillary leprosy

Dose and Duration

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Multibacillary leprosy (in combination with rifampicin and dapsone)

Take as below for 12 months

Adult and child above 15 years: 300 mg once a month and 50 mg once daily
Child 10-14 years:150 mg once a month and 50 mg on alternate days
Child below 10 years: 6 mg/kg body weight monthly and 1 mg/kg daily

Side Effects

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  • Discoloration of skin, hair, cornea, tears, conjunctiva, sweat, sputum, faeces, and/or urine
  • Stomach upset
  • Weight loss
  • Bleeding
  • Dry skin and eyes
  • Rash

Patient instructions

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  • The treatment lasts for 12 months. It is important to complete the schedule to ensure complete healing
  • May cause discoloration of skin, hair, tears, sweat, sputum, and/or urine. This is reversible so do not worry

Pregnancy

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  • Can be used

Breastfeeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • Reduce dose or increase dose interval if GI problems exist before treatment is started. Discontinue treatment if gastrointestinal problems develop while on treatment
  • Lepra reaction: Sudden increase in the activity of leprosy with nerve pain. It should be treated promptly to prevent permanent nerve damage and disability
  • Nerve pain: Treat with oral prednisolone for 3 months and paracetamol or acetylsalicylic acid
  • Do not stop treatment for leprosy during a lepra reaction
  • If lepra reactions do not resolve within 6 weeks of treatment or they get worse, refer patient to a specialist
  • Type 2 lepra reactions, also called erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), is an antibody response to dead bacteria and occurs only in MB leprosy. Therapy includes pain relievers, prednisolone and clofazimine.