Influence of once-monthly rifampicin and daily clofazimine on the pharmacokinetics of dapsone in leprosy patients in Nigeria

Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1988;34(1):73-6. doi: 10.1007/BF01061421.

Abstract

In leprosy patients in Nigeria the influence of daily clofazimine and of once-monthly rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of dapsone has been investigated. Three days after rifampicin the elimination half-life of dapsone was reduced from 40.4 to 25.3 h (n = 23). Correspondingly, the plasma dapsone 24 h after the last dose had fallen significantly from 2.63 to 2.02 mg/l. Clofazimine did not cause change in the pharmacokinetics of dapsone. It was concluded that, although rifampicin had a considerable influence on the pharmacokinetics of dapsone, there is no reason to adjust the dose of dapsone during multidrug therapy of leprosy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Clofazimine / administration & dosage*
  • Clofazimine / pharmacology
  • Dapsone / administration & dosage
  • Dapsone / blood
  • Dapsone / pharmacokinetics*
  • Dapsone / therapeutic use
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Leprosy / blood*
  • Leprosy / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nigeria
  • Patient Compliance
  • Rifampin / administration & dosage*
  • Rifampin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Dapsone
  • Clofazimine
  • Rifampin