Prednisolone does not reduce the effectiveness of rifampicin

Leprosy Mailing List – September 3^rd, 2010

Ref.:    Prednisolone does not reduce the effectiveness of rifampicin

From:  Wim van Brakel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Dear Salvatore,

Dr. Shetty’s group in Mumbai just published a major study in the March issue of leprosy Review this year presenting hard evidence that prednisolone use does NOT increase the risk of relapse, i.e. does not reduce the effectiveness of rifampicin.  There is no need, therefore, to prolong MDT in patients receiving steroid treatment for reactions.

With best wishes,

Wim

Wim van Brakel, MD,MSc,PhD
Senior Advisor
KIT Development Policy & Practice
Leprosy Unit
T +31 (0)20 6939297
Royal Tropical Institute
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
F +31 (0)20 568 8444
www.kit.nl / www.kit.nl/100