The value of thiacetazone (TB-1) in leprosy

The author has employed TB-1 in the treatment of leprosy since 1951, and in that period 220 patients have been submittes to this therapy. The results obtained have convinced him that TB-1 is a first-rate drug which merits more consideration than it has been given. To relegate TB-1 to a secondary rank denotes lack of experience or error in judgment. Continued experience has been convincing of its value because of the results obtained from the clinical, bacteriologic and histologic points of view. The dosage to be used is from 100 to 150 mgm. a day; there is no advantage in using higher doses. Within this limit all of the patients have tolerated the drug quite well, without toxic effects. It is superior to the sulfones principally in the matter of tolerance. As yet neither anemia nor liver disturbance has been observed. Treatment becomes easier, for it is unnecessary to control the patients by blood examinations or urinalyses. The drug is effective in any form of the disease: lepromatous, tuberculoid, borderline, or indeterminate. Its success with respect to skin and mucosa lesions is very similar to that of the sulfones. For neural disturbances it seems to be better than the sulfones, although it is still not the ideal treatment for those difficult conditions.