The drugs used in MDT are a combination of the
following: rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone for MB
leprosy patients and rifampicin and dapsone for PB
leprosy patients. Among these, rifampicin is the most
important antileprosy drug and therefore is included in
the treatment of both types of leprosy.
Treatment of leprosy with only
one antileprosy drug will always result in development
of drug resistance to that drug. Treatment with dapsone
or any other antileprosy drug used as monotherapy should
be considered as unethical practice.
Rifampicin:
The drug is given once a month.
No toxic effects have been reported
in the case of monthly administration. The urine may be
coloured slightly reddish for a few hours after its
intake, this should be explained to the patient while
starting MDT.
Clofazimine
:
It is most active when administered daily. The drug is
well tolerated and virtually non-toxic in the dosage
used for MDT. The drug causes brownish black
discoloration and dryness of skin. However, this
disappears within few months after stopping treatment.
This should be explained to patients starting MDT
regimen for MB leprosy.
- Dapsone:
The drug is very safe in the dosage used in MDT and
side effects are rare. The main side effect is
allergic reaction, causing itchy skin rashes and
exfoliative dermatitis. Patients known to be
allergic to any of the sulpha drugs should not be
given dapsone.
