Leprosy Training Module for Medical Officers

Corticosteroid Therapy :
• Corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for the Type 1 reaction since
neuritis and ulceration frequently occur in these patients.
• They are having immunosuppresent, anti – inflammatory and anti – fibrotic
actions, which are useful.
• The dosage varies with severity of reactions.
• Abrupt cessation of prolonged high doses is associated with significant risk of
adrenal insufficiency of sufficient severity to become life threatening.
Give doses of corticosteroid in single morning dose. Avoid drug
administration on empty stomach.
• The drug of choice is Prednisolone.
WHO Corticosteroid Regimen used in fields :
The standard 12 week oral prednisolone treatment for an adult patient is as
follows :
Dose/ day
Duration in Weeks
40 mg 1 and 2
30 mg 3 and 4
20 mg 5 and 6
15 mg 7 and 8
10 mg 9 and 10
5 mg 11 and 12 , &
then stop the drug
Other Anti – Reactional Drugs :
1. Clofazimine :
• Anti – leprosy drug also having anti – inflammatory effect. Hence, useful as
anti – inflammatory drug in recurrent Type 2 Lepra reactions and to wean off
patients from corticosteroids.
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