A Long Term Trial with Clofazimine in Reactive Lepromatous Leprosy

A report is given on 17 lepromatous patients, all but one steroid dependant beca use of repeated, serious reactions, treated with c10fazimine in dosages of 100-600 mg daily, for periods up to 5 years. In 14 patients who completed 2h years of treatment the average annual decrease of BI in smears and biopsies was 13% and 14% resp., being somewhat slower than after sulphone treatment (17%). Out of 6 patients who completed 5 years of treatment 5 became negative, one after 4 years, 4 after 4\1 2 years. In some patients, however, the decrease of the BI was slow and unsatisfactory. No evidence of resistance to lamprene was found. No correlation was found between slow response and long period of weaning off steroids or with other complications.