Leprosy

Question 1

What are the drugs recommended for the management of Leprosy? (6)

Answer 1

• Dapsone
• Rifampicin
• Clofazimine

Other drugs with significant activity against Mycobacterium leprae include:

• ofloxacin
• minocycline
• clarithromycin

None of the above are as active as Rifampicin and everything else should be reserved as 2nd line treatment

Question 2

What is the dose, route, SE and contra-indications for Rifampicin for Leprosy?

Answer 2

Adult body weight < 35kg:
- PO 450 mg once a month

Adult body weight > 35kg:
- PO 600 mg once a month

SE: Thrombocytopenia

CI: Acute porphyrias, jaundice

Question 3

What are the monitoring requirements for rifampicin?

Answer 3

• Renal function
• Hepatic function
• Blood counts

Question 4

What is the dose, route, SE and contra-indications for Dapsone for Leprosy?

Answer 4

Adult body weight < 35kg:
- PO 50 mg OD

Adult body weight > 35kg:
- PO 100 mg OD

SE: agranulocytosis, haemolytic anaemia

Cautions: Anaemia (treat severe before starting), avoid in Acute porphyrias, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease

Question 5

What is the dose, route, SE and contra-indications for Clofazimine for Leprosy?

Answer 5

Adult:

• PO 300 mg once a month
• Use in caution with severe renal impairment

Question 6

What drugs should multibacillary leprosy should be treated with? (3)

Answer 6

• Rifampicin
• Dapsone
• Clofazimine