Treatment for leprosy typically involves antibiotics (such as rifampin) along with supportive care, which is treatment for symptoms of leprosy and any associated complications. Some patients experience certain reactions after beginning treatment, such as increased rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and joint pain. After successful treatment for leprosy, patients are generally considered free of active infection.
Historically, there was no cure for leprosy (which is also known as Hansen's disease), and lepers were segregated for extended periods of time. However, today, leprosy can generally be cured with antibiotics. With early diagnosis and treatment for leprosy, many leprosy symptoms and complications can be minimized or avoided altogether.
Treatment for leprosy differs depending upon the form of the disease. It will generally continue for one year for tuberculoid leprosy and for two years for lepromatous leprosy. Treatment for leprosy involves medicines along with supportive care. Supportive care is treatment for leprosy symptoms and any associated complications.
Medicines Used as Treatment for Leprosy
Treatment for leprosy includes antibiotics to kill Mycobacterium leprae (the bacteria that cause leprosy). However, this bacteria can be resistant to certain antibiotics. Therefore, several antibiotics are often combined. The three most commonly used antibiotics are:
Dapsone
Rifampin
Clofazimine.
Other antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, and minocycline, also have excellent antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium leprae.
Medicine that is used as treatment for leprosy can sometimes be provided at no cost to patients by their family doctor or through the Hansen's Disease Clinic closest to them. A person should see improvements after two to three months after beginning treatment.
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