20 weeks of Prednisolone are better than 12 weeks in the treatment of reversal reaction (RR)

Leprosy Mailing List, September 11th, 2008

Ref.: 20 weeks of Prednisolone are better than 12 weeks in the treatment of reversal reaction (RR)
From: Kar H. K., New Delhi, India


Dear Dr Salvatore,

Thanks. I refer to Dr. Kawuma’s message (LML, Sept. 8th, 2008) on the treatment of reversal reaction (RR or Type 1 reaction). I agree with him. A short course of prednisolone less than 12 weeks is not sufficient to control RR.
Irrespective of the spectrum of the disease, 5 to 6 months (or even more) course of prednisolone is required to control RR along with MDT. When the inflamed lesion of RR is on the face, it may need more than 6 months of prednisolone therapy. You may need to continue tapering dose of steroid few more weeks after the patient has been released from treatment (RFT) to prevent late RR or to treat late RR.
This is our experience.

Best regards.
Dr (Prof.) H K KarMD, MNAMSConsultant & HODDepartment of Dermatology, STD & LeprosyPGIMER, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia HospitalBaba Kharag Singh MargNew Delhi-110001
India