Drug interaction during multidrug regimens for treatment of leprosy

ABSTRACT

The influence of concurrently rifampicin and clofazimine on the metabolism of 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (dapsone, DDS) has been studied in 30 subjects on multidrug regimens for treatment of leprosy. Plasma and urinary levels of drugs were determined on days 2,8 and 15 after administration of the drug, while cretinine levels in urine were also determined to overcome the effect of diuresis. During concurrent administration of rifampicin the plasma levels of DDS gradually fell from day 2 to day 15 of rifampicin administration and the decrease was most significant on day 15. Clofazimine did not exert any such influence on DDS metabolism. A comparison of urine and plasma levels of DDS during the course of treatment. The findings suggest that during concurrent administration of DDS and rifampicin, the intake of DDS shoud be regular and uninterrupted.