Clofazimine

Clofazimine is a highly lipophilic antimicrobial riminophenazine dye used in combination with other agents, such as dapsone, for the treatment of leprosy. It was originally described in 1957 and was the prototypical riminophenazine dye - a bright-red dye that, in its clinical use, results in long-lasting discoloration of the skin and bodily fluids. Although it carries in vitro activity against other mycobacterium, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it is generally considered an ineffective treatment in comparison to classic tuberculosis treatments such as rifampicin and isoniazid.

Clofazimine is a highly lipophilic antimicrobial riminophenazine dye used in combination with other agents, such as dapsone, for the treatment of leprosy. It was originally described in 1957 and was the prototypical riminophenazine dye - a bright-red dye that, in its clinical use, results in long-lasting discoloration of the skin and bodily fluids. Although it carries in vitro activity against other mycobacterium, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it is generally considered an ineffective treatment in comparison to classic tuberculosis treatments such as rifampicin and isoniazid.

Clofazimine is indicated for the treatment of lepromatous leprosy, including dapsone-resistant lepromatous leprosy and lepromatous leprosy complicated by erythema nodosum leprosum. To prevent the development of drug resistance, it should be used only in combination with other antimycobacterial leprosy treatments.

• Lepromatous Leprosy