Treatments

PAUCIBACILLARY (PB):

the number of M. leprae in the body is small (less than 1 million) and a skin smear test is negative. The patient presents five or fewer skin lesions. Most cases of leprosy are PB.

MULTIBACILLARY (MB):

M. leprae can multiple in the body almost without any check and is thus present in high numbers. The bacillus has likely spread to almost all areas of skin and peripheral nerves. A skin smear test is positive and the patient presents more than five skin lesions.

A MULTIDRUG TREATMENT REGIMEN

is recommended for leprosy because resistance to the primary drug used has become common in the past twenty years.

DAPSONE

is the primary drug indicated for treatment of leprosy and it is almost always accompanied by at least one other medication. It works by preventing the formation of folic acid, thereby inhibiting the organism’s replication. Two of the most common additional drugs for leprosy management are Rifampin and Clofazimine. Rifampin is one of the main drugs used in treatment of tuberculosis and Clofazimine is an antimicrobial that works by unknown mechanisms.All three medications are taken orally and can be administered on an out-patient basis. Dose, and duration of these three medicines varies according to stage of the disease and whether the patient is an adult or child. Multidrug regimens are recommended for 6 months (for paucibacillary), to 2 years (for multibacillary).

TREATMENT SUMMARY:

However, damaged nerves and tissues cannot regrow. Thus, if left untreated for too long, disfigurment from leprosy can be permanent, unless it can be repaired with reconstructive surgery.