Clofazimine: a review of its medical uses and mechanisms of action.
Clofazimine has been in clinical use for almost 40 years, but little is known of its mechanism of action. The primary indication for clofazimine is multibacillary leprosy, but it is useful in several infectious and noninfectious diseases, such as typical myocobacterial infections, rhinoscleroma, pyoderma gangrenosum, necrobiosis lipoidica, severe acne, pustular psoriasis, and discoid lupus erythematosus. Postulated mechanisms of action include intercalation of clofazimine with bacterial DNA and increasing levels of cellular phospholipase A2. Clinical experience, possible mechanisms of action, and side effects of clofazimine are summarized.
Arbiser
J L
JL
Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Moschella
S L
SL
D002991:Clofazimine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007364:Intercalating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000188:drug therapy; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000187:drug effects; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D007364:Intercalating Agents; D002991:Clofazimine; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2