Clofazimine in the Philippines

Leprosy Mailing List – February 7^th, 2010

Ref.: Clofazimine in the Philippines
From: Francesca Gajete, City of San jose del Monte, Bulacan , Philippines

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Dear Dr Noto,

A prominent side effect of clofazimine is reversible coloration of the skin. It produces an initial redness of the skin due to an accumulation of the drug. Later with prolonged treatment a pink to brownish-black colour develops and this is most noticeable in lesional areas (1, 2).

In the Philippines , health workers take time to explain the discoloration caused by clofazimine emphasizing that the natural colour will return after treatment. It may return after six month to a year, depending upon the degree of skin infiltration by leprosy (3). It may also be depending upon how dark was the original skin and avoidance of exposure to sunlight during treatment (but I have found no reference for these). As for the health worker we share that this is a good lead in monitoring treatment compliance.

Best regards,

F. Gajete

Dr Francesca Gajete

National Manager

National Leprosy Control Programme

The Philippines

1.

Rook … Textbook of dermatology 6^th Ed. 1998

2.

Leprosy for medical practitioners and paramedical workers, S J Yawalkar 2^nd Ed. 2002

3.

Leprosy, Robert C. Hastings, 1985