Leucocytopenia after rifampicin and ofloxacin therapy in leprosy.
New antimycobacterial agents and combined treatment regimens are being introduced for the treatment of leprosy. Ofloxacin is one such broad spectrum antimicrobial agent. In this study rifampicin plus ofloxacin were administered daily for 4 weeks (daily supervised dose). Two patients (and possibly a third patient who refused all investigations) out of 125 patients developed leucocytopenia during the third week of therapy. It was associated with fever, malaise, nausea and loss of appetite. They recovered after cessation of drug treatment. Patients receiving ofloxacin should be monitored for constitutional symptoms suggestive of this complication even though the risk of such complication may be minimal.
Vijayakumaran
P
P
Schieffelin Leprosy Research & Training Centre, Karigiri, Tamilnadu, South India.
Manimozhi
N
N
Jesudasan
K
K
Arunthathi
S
S
Jacob
M
M
Samuel
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015439:Leprosy, Borderline / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015441:Leprosy, Tuberculoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D015242:Ofloxacin; D012293:Rifampin