4/12/2015 Leprosy Causes, Symptoms, Treatment - Leprosy
Treatment - eMedicineHealth
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Leprosy Overview
Leprosy Causes
Leprosy Symptoms andSigns
When to Seek Medical Care
Leprosy Diagnosis
Self-Care at Home
Leprosy Treatment
Surgical Therapy
Follow-up
Leprosy Prevention
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Leprosy Treatment
Leprosy is a curable disease using thehighly effective MDT
(multidrug therapy).
In 1981, a World Health OrganizationStudy Group recommended
multidrugtreatment with three medications:dapsone, rifampicin
(Rifadin), andclofazimine (Lamprene).This long-term treatment
regimen curesthe disease and prevents thecomplications associated
with leprosy ifstarted in its early stages.These medications have
beendistributed free to all patients withleprosy since 1995, and
the WHOdistributes the medications inconvenient monthly calendar
blisterpacks.After the first doses of thesemedications, patients
are no longerinfectious and they do not transmit thedisease to
others.Widespread resistance of M. leprae to a full course of MDT
has notdeveloped.
The WHO currently recommends different treatment regimens for
patientswith paucibacillary leprosy and multibacillary leprosy.
WHO recommendations
Paucibacillary single-lesion leprosy
A single dose of rifampicin, ofloxacin (Floxin), or
minocycline(Dynacin, Minocin, Minocin PAC, Myrac, Solodyn)
Paucibacillary leprosy
Six months of treatment using rifampicin (monthly) anddapsone
(daily)
Multibacillary leprosy
Twelve months of treatment using rifampicin (monthly),dapsone
(daily), and clofazimine (daily)
In the U.S., the recommended treatment regimens by the
NationalHansen's Disease Program for both paucibacillary leprosy
and multibacillaryleprosy differ from the WHO recommendations.
U.S. recommendations
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4/12/2015 Leprosy Causes, Symptoms, Treatment - Leprosy
Treatment - eMedicineHealth
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Medical Author: Steven Doerr, MDMedical Editor: Charles Patrick
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Paucibacillary leprosy
Twelve months of treatment using rifampicin (daily) anddapsone
(daily)
Multibacillary leprosy
Twenty-four months of treatment using rifampicin (daily),dapsone
(daily), and clofazimine (daily)
Individuals who develop type 1 or type 2 reactions may require
othermedications.
Type 1 reaction (reversal reaction)
Treatment may include the use of corticosteroids,
salicylates,and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Type 2 reaction (ENL)
Treatment may include the use of corticosteroids,
salicylates,NSAIDs, clofazimine, and thalidomide(Thalomid).
Continue Reading
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 9/19/2014
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