Here’s the structured profile for Clofazimine Capsule 50 mg 👇
💊 Clofazimine Capsule 50 mg
📘 Description:
- Clofazimine is a riminophenazine dye antibiotic with antimycobacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- It has a slow bactericidal action against Mycobacterium leprae (the causative agent of leprosy).
- It also has mild activity against certain atypical mycobacteria.
📄 Prescription / Indications:
Mainly used in:
- Multibacillary leprosy (in combination therapy with rifampicin + dapsone)
- Type 2 lepra reactions (erythema nodosum leprosum) due to its anti-inflammatory effect
- Occasionally used for drug-resistant tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections (off-label)
🌿 Nature / Drug Class:
- Antimycobacterial agent
- Riminophenazine class
✅ Advantages:
- Essential part of multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy
- Helps reduce leprosy reactional states due to anti-inflammatory action
- Reduces risk of drug resistance when combined with rifampicin + dapsone
⚠️ Precautions:
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to clofazimine
Use with caution in:
- Patients with severe gastrointestinal disorders
- Pre-existing liver impairment
Adverse effects:
- Skin discoloration (red-brown to black pigmentation) – very common
- Dry skin, ichthyosis, pruritus
- GI intolerance – abdominal pain, diarrhea, anorexia
- Rare: eosinophilic enteritis, small bowel obstruction, depression (due to cosmetic changes)
💊 Dosage (Adults):
- Leprosy (multibacillary): 50 mg daily (with monthly 300 mg supervised dose, as per WHO MDT regimen)
- Lepra reaction (ENL): 100–300 mg daily (short-term, under supervision)
- Duration: Usually given for 12–24 months as part of combination therapy
📦 Common Packaging:
- Capsules: 50 mg, 100 mg
- Often provided in blister packs as part of WHO MDT kits
❄️ Storage Conditions:
- Store below 25°C, in a dry place
- Protect from light and moisture