Table 3.
World Health Organization recommended multidrug treatment adulta regimen for new cases of leprosy38,39
| 1A | SLPB (single skin lesion paucibacillary) | |
| A single dose of: | ||
| Rifampicin | 600 mg | |
| Ofloxacin | 400 mg | |
| Minocycline | 100 mg | |
| 1B | PB (multiple skin lesion paucibacillary) | |
| Rifampicin | 600 mg once per month, on day 1 | |
| Dapsone | 100 mg daily | |
| Duration of regimen = 6 months | ||
| 2 | MB (multibacillary leprosy) | |
| Rifampin | 600 mg once per month, on day 1 | |
| Dapsone | 100 mg daily | |
| Clofazimine | 300 mg once per month, on day 1 | |
| Clofazimine | 50 mg daily, after day 1 | |
| Duration of regimen = 12 months | ||
Notes:
a
Based on adult 50–70 kg (110–155 lbs). Not recommended in the US, and associated with clinical failure;
b
adjust dose for child less than 10 years on basis of body weight: rifampin 10 mg/kg monthly and dapsone 2 mg/kg daily; clofazimine can be spaced out as required. The WHO states that “a patient with a high BI [bacterial index] may rarely need to be treated for longer than 12 months. Only specialists at referral centers should make this decision.”40