Thalidomide in lepra reaction (ENL) in lepromatous leprosy patients.

Six male bacteriologically highly positive patients of lepromatous leprosy with ENL reaction not adequately controlled by conventional antireaction drugs were put on thalidomide 400 mg per day in four divided doses. Reaction was controlled between 13th to 18th day of therapy. There was no change in the bacteriological status. Liver functions, renal functions and hemogram were normal before therapy and remained unaltered at the end of treatment. Apart from fatigue, drowsiness and occassional constipation, thalidomide had no adverse effect. Control of ENL reaction by thalidomide in these patients is probably due to its immunosuppressive effect, more likely by its stablising action on lysosomes.

Once monthly rifampicin (1200 mg) plus daily dapsone (100 mg) and clofazimine (100 mg) in the initial treatment of lepromatous leprosy.

The therapeutic effect of rifampicin 1200 mg once monthly and 100 mg clofazimine daily for the first six months of treatment was evaluated in 30 patients of bacteriologically positive lepromatous leprosy patients. Moderate to marked clinical improvement was seen in all the patients and a very rapid bacteriological regression as indicated by the decrease in bacteriological and morphological indices of the skin within one week. Seven patients become MI negative at one month and three months and 13 at the end of nine months. Two patients became MI and BI negative at the end of six months and six at the end of nine months. These observations clearly establish the high therapeutic efficacy and practicability of the three drug regimen. Once monthly rifampicin is highly effective and well tolerated, and has many advantages like low cost, better patient compliance and reliability of the treatment. Addition of clofazimine to rifampicin and dapsone prevents the emergence of E.N.L. reactions which were seen during treatment with once monthly rifampicin and daily dapsone. This regimen is thus ideal for initial, intensive treatment of lepromatous leprosy and may help in preventing the spread of the disease and development of dapsone resistance.