Rifampicin (RFP) trial in lepromatous leprosy

Rifampicin trial in 66 lepromatous cases is reported. Some of these cases were previously treated with Dapsone and some were fresh cases, the main criterion for selection being high BI and MI. The cases were divided into 7 groups depending on the dosage and frequency of administration of RFP. Dapsone was given in all the cases. Whenever MI became zero, Rifampicin was stopped but Dapsone continued. In those cases when MI remained high, RFP was stopped either because of non-improvement or reactions or the patient dropped out. Only 2 groups showed good improvement: RFP 900 mg. once a week and RFP 600 mg. 6 times a week. The latter group is preferable and the average period required to render MI zero was about 45 days.