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Adverse effects from multi-drug therapy in leprosy: a Brazilian study
Patricia D Deps1, Sofia Nasser, Patricia Guerra
1Departamento de Medicina Social, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Maruípe, Vitória-ES, Brasil. pdeps@uol.com.br
Introduction:
The WHO MDT for leprosy treatment was officially introduced in Brazil in 1991 and comprises three drugs: dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine. There are few good studies on the frequency of side-effects attributable to MDT in Brazil.
Methods:
A retrospective and descriptive study carried out in a LCP in Vitória, State of Espirito Santo, Brazil. A specific and detailed protocol about side-effects was prepared and filled in from the patient records.
Results:
One hundred ninety four patients' records were analysed looking for side-effects attributable to MDT. Side-effects were attributed to at least one MDT component in 88 (45%) patients and 85 had side-effects due to dapsone, 24 due to rifampicin and 18 due to clofazimine. 185 episodes were identified. The suspected drug was stopped in 47 out of 88 episodes (24% patients); 46 had dapsone stopped, 5 had rifampicin stopped and no-one had clofazimine stopped.
Conclusion:
Side-effects attributed to MDT is more frequent than previously described, resulting in interruption of treatment in many patients.
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