362 Where There Is No Doctor 2011 Green Pages
MEDICINES FOR LEPROSY
When treating leprosy, it is important to know
which of the two main types of leprosy the person
has. If there are light-colored skin patches with
loss of sensation but no lumps or thickened skin,
then the person probably has paucibacillary–PB
(tuberculoid) leprosy and only 2 medicines are
required. If there are lumps, then the person
probably has multibacillary–MB (lepromatous)
leprosy and 3 medicines must be used. If possible,
medicines for leprosy should be taken with the
guidance of an experienced health worker or
doctor, according to the national plan.
Treatment of leprosy must usually continue
for at least 6 months and sometimes for life. To
prevent the bacteria (bacilli) that cause leprosy from
becoming resistant, it is important to keep taking the
medicines regularly, without interruption. Be sure to
get more medicine before your supply runs out.
Recommended treatment:
For PB leprosy take both of these for at least 6
months:
Dapsone daily
Rifampicin each month
For MB leprosy take all of these for 1 year (12
months):
Dapsone daily
Clofazimine daily and a larger dose each
month
Rifampicin each month
Occasionally, a person may develop a serious
problem called ‘lepra reaction’ while taking leprosy
medicines. There may be lumpy and inflamed
spots, fever, and swollen, tender nerves. It may
also cause joint pains, tender lymph nodes and
testicles, swelling of the hands and feet, or red and
painful eyes which may lead to loss of vision.
In case of a severe ‘lepra reaction’ (pain
along the nerves, numbness or weakness, eye
irritation, or painful testicles), it is usually best to
keep taking the leprosy treatment, but to also take
an anti-inflammatory medicine (cortico-steroid).
Seek experienced medical advice about this
because the cortico-steroid can also cause serious
problems.
Dapsone (diaminodiphenylsulfone, DDS)
Name:__________________ price:_______ for_ ______
Often comes in: tablets of 25, 50, and 100 mg.
Dapsone sometimes causes anemia or skin
rashes, which can be severe. Avoid the sun.
If severe skin peeling occurs, stop taking the
medicine.
WARNING: DDS is a dangerous drug. Keep it where
children cannot reach it.
Dosage for DDS (2 mg./kg./day): using tablets of
100 mg.
Take once a day.
adults: 100 mg.
children 10 to 12 years: 50 mg.
children under 10 years: 25 mg.
Rifampicin
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: tablets or capsules of 150 and
300 mg.
Rifampicin is a very expensive medicine, but
only a small amount is needed to treat leprosy,
so the total cost is not great. See p. 360 for side
effects and risks. Take rifampicin only with the
advice of an experienced health worker or doctor:
Dosage of rifampicin for leprosy (10 to 20 mg./kg.)—
using tablets of 300 mg.
For leprosy, give rifampicin once a month. It
should be taken either 1 hour before or 2 hours
after eating.
In each monthly dose give:
adults: 600 mg. (two 300 mg. tablets)
children 10 to 12 years: 450 mg. (one and a
half 300 mg. tablets)
children under 10 years: 300 mg. (one 300
mg. tablet)