Multidrug regimens for treatment of leprosy in adults

TT: tuberculoid; BT: borderline tuberculoid; LL: lepromatous; BL: borderline lepromatous; BB: mid-borderline.
* Additional information available at the NHDP website: http://www.hrsa.gov/hansensdisease/diagnosis/recommendedtreatment.html.
¶ These are the 1982 WHO recommendations. The 2018 WHO recommendations are still under consideration in most countries and are not summarized here. Additional information available at the WHO website: http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section10/Section20/Section2000.htm.
Δ The durations of treatment outlined by NHDP are sufficient even though large numbers of dead bacilli may remain in tissues for several years before they are eliminated by physiologic processes. There is no evidence that prolonged treatment hastens the elimination of these dead organisms.
◊ TT, BT, BB, BL, and LL refer to the Ridley-Jopling classification (refer to the text).
§ In the United States, the NHDP holds the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for clofazimine treatment of leprosy. For further information or to request investigator status to use clofazimine, contact the NHDP: 1-800-642-2477. Clofazimine should be taken either with or immediately after food or milk to facilitate absorption. If clofazimine is not tolerated, daily minocycline may be substituted.