Contributing

What is the treatment for Multibacillary leprosy?

What is the treatment for Multibacillary leprosy?

Treatment Summary. Multibacillary leprosy: a 3-drug regimen of rifampicin 600 mg once a month (supervised), clofazimine 300 mg once a month (supervised) and 50 mg daily and dapsone 100 mg daily. At least 12 months of treatment must be taken within a period of 18 months.

How was leprosy treated in ancient times?

Until the late 1940s, leprosy doctors all over the world treated patients by injecting them with oil from the chaulmoogra nut. This course of treatment was painful, and although some patients appeared to benefit, its long term efficacy was questionable.

What year was the cure for leprosy?

The causative agent of leprosy, M. leprae, was discovered by G. H. Armauer Hansen in Norway in 1873, making it the first bacterium to be identified as causing disease in humans. The first effective treatment (promin) became available in the 1940s.

Which therapy has revolutionized treatment of leprosy?

The treatment of leprosy has been revolutionized since the introduction of multidrug therapy (MDT) in 1981, following the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO).

How long is treatment for Paucibacillary leprosy?

What is the WHO recommended multidrug regimen for treatment of leprosy?

Age Group Drug Duration
Paucibacillary Leprosy
Adult Rifampicin 6 months
Clofazimine
Dapsone

Who made the treatment for leprosy?

The modern era of leprosy treatment started in the 1940s, when Dr. Guy Faget of the National Hansen’s Disease Center (renamed the Gillis W. Long Hansen’s Disease Center in the 1980s) in Carville, Louisiana, was able to show remarkable benefits of sulfone therapy (Promin) in treating the disease.

Why are leprosy patients classified as multibacillary?

Classification of leprosy patients into multibacillary and paucibacillary determines the duration of their treatment. Misclassification leads to increased risk of relapse due to insufficient treatment if a multibacillary patient is classified as paucibacillary.

Which is the most effective treatment for leprosy?

Anti-leprosy medication. A number of leprostatic agents are available for treatment. A 3-drug regimen of rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine is recommended for all people with leprosy, for 6 months for paucibacillary leprosy and 12 months for multibacillary leprosy. Multidrug therapy (MDT) remains highly effective,…

When did multidrug therapy for leprosy start?

However, most African countries with leprosy cases adopted the new therapy after elaborate pilot multidrug therapy projects done between 1982 (when multidrug therapy was introduced) and 1997 (when all registered patients were receiving multidrug therapy). A look at world leprosy.

How often should you take rifampicin for paucibacicillary leprosy?

WHO recommends the following multi-drug antilepromatous therapy regimens for adults: Paucibacillary leprosy: a 2-drug regimen of rifampicin 600 mg once a month (supervised) and dapsone 100 mg daily. At least 6 months of treatment must be taken within a period of 9 months.