infections
Leprosy
Treatment of Leprosy
Antibiotics Antibiotics can stop the progression of leprosy but do not reverse any nerve damage or deformity. Thus, early detection and treatment are vitally important. Because leprosy bacteria become resistant to an antibiotic if it is used alone, doctors prescribe more than one drug. Because the bacteria are difficult to eradicate, antibiotics must be continued for a long time. Depending on the severity of the infection, antibiotics are taken for 6 to 12 months and sometimes for up to 2 years. The drugs chosen depend on the type of leprosy. All of them are taken by mouth (orally): Multibacillary:The standard combination of drugs isdapsone,rifampin, andclofazimine. In the United States, adults are givenrifampin,dapsone, andclofazimineonce a day for 24 months. In other parts of the world, adults takerifampinandclofazimineonce a month under a health care practitioner’s supervision anddapsoneplusclofazimineonce a day on their own. This regimen is continued for 12 months. Paucibacillary:In the United States, adults are givenrifampinanddapsoneonce a day for 12 months. In other parts of the world, adults takerifampinonce a month with supervision anddapsoneonce a day without supervision for 6 months. Dapsoneis relatively inexpensive and generally safe to use. It occasionally causes allergic rashes and anemia. Rifampin,which is more expensive, is even more effective thandapsone. Its most serious side effects are damage to the liver, flu-like symptoms, and, rarely, kidney failure. Clofazimineis extremely safe. The main side effect is temporary skin pigmentation, which may take months to disappear. Leprosy reactionsare treated with oral corticosteroids. Mild skin inflammation does not require any treatment. 