Adverse effects from multi-drug therapy in leprosy: a Brazilian study.
BACKGROUND
The WHO MDT for leprosy treatment was officially introduced in Brazil in 1991 and comprises three drugs: dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine. There are few good studies on the frequency of side-effects attributable to MDT in Brazil.


METHODS
A retrospective and descriptive study carried out in a LCP in Vitória, State of Espirito Santo, Brazil. A specific and detailed protocol about side-effects was prepared and filled in from the patient records.


RESULTS
One hundred ninety four patients' records were analysed looking for side-effects attributable to MDT. Side-effects were attributed to at least one MDT component in 88 (45%) patients and 85 had side-effects due to dapsone, 24 due to rifampicin and 18 due to clofazimine. 185 episodes were identified. The suspected drug was stopped in 47 out of 88 episodes (24% patients); 46 had dapsone stopped, 5 had rifampicin stopped and no-one had clofazimine stopped.


CONCLUSIONS
Side-effects attributed to MDT is more frequent than previously described, resulting in interruption of treatment in many patients.
Deps
Patricia D
PD
Departamento de Medicina Social, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Maruípe, Vitória-ES, Brasil. pdeps@uol.com.br
Nasser
Sofia
S
Guerra
Patricia
P
Simon
Marisa
M
Birshner
Rita De Cássia
Rde C
Rodrigues
Laura C
LC
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002991:Clofazimine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003622:Dapsone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D003622:Dapsone; D002991:Clofazimine; D012293:Rifampin