Green Pages Where There Is No Doctor 2011 363
Clofazimine (Lamprene)
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: capsules of 50 and 100 mg.
Clofazimine is also an expensive medicine.
Although it is less effective in killing leprosy
bacteria than rifampicin, it has the advantage that it
also helps to control lepra reaction to some extent,
particularly in persons with MB (lepromatous)
leprosy.
Side effects: Causes the skin to become a
red-purple color. This is only temporary and will
disappear 1 to 2 years after stopping the medicine.
May cause stomach or digestive problems. Not
recommended for pregnant women.
Dosage for clofazimine (1 mg./kg./day)using
capsules of 50 mg.
Give one regular dose of clofazimine at least
twice a week, depending on age, and a second,
larger dose once a month.
In each regular dose give:
adults: 50 mg. (one 50 mg. capsule)
every day
children 10 to 12 years: 50 mg. (one 50 mg.
capsule) every other day
children under 10 years: 50 mg. (one 50 mg.
capsule) twice a week
In each monthly dose give:
adults: 300 mg. (six 50 mg. capsules)
children 10 to 12 years: 150 mg. (three
50 mg. capsules)
children under 10 years: 100 mg. (two 50 mg.
capsules)
Note: The larger dose of clofazimine, which can also
be used daily to control lepra reaction, is best given
with the advice of an experienced health worker or
doctor.
Other Medicines
MEDICINES FOR MALARIA
There are many medicines that fight malaria.
Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, malaria
parasites have become resistant to the best malaria
medicines. This is especially true for the most
serious type of malaria (falciparum malaria). It is
important to learn from health workers, local
health centers, or the Health Department what
medicines work best in your area.
IMPORTANT: Malaria can quickly kill persons
who have not developed immunity. Children, and
people who visit areas with malaria, must be treated
immediately.
Medicines for malaria can be used in two ways:
1. TREATMENT of the person who is ill with malaria.
Medicine is given daily for just a few days.
2. PREVENTION: To keep any malaria parasites
that may be in the blood from doing harm.
Prevention is used in areas where malaria is
common, especially to protect children who are
weak or sick for other reasons. It is also used
by persons visting a malaria area who have no
defenses against the disease. Medicines are
usually given weekly. To prevent malaria, also
be sure to follow the advice on p. 187 to avoid
mosquito bites.
Certain malaria medicines are used only to
treat attacks of malaria, while some only work for
prevention. Others can be used for both.
For treating falciparum malaria (the most serious
type of malaria), a medicine in the artemesinin
family must be taken in combination with a
second medicine. This is called Artemisinin-based
Combination Therapy, or ACT. Talk to a health
worker or the Ministry of Health to find out the
recommendations for your area. Some common
combinations are:
Artemether with lumefantrine (comes as a
combined pill)
Artesunate and pyrimethamine with sulfadoxine
Artesunate and mefloquine
Artesunate and amodiaquine
Women in the first 3 months of pregnancy should
try to avoid using artemether and artesunate, and
should instead take a combination of quinine and
clindamycin if possible.
For falciparum malaria that has become resistant
to many medicines, doxycycline (p. 355) or quinine
should be taken along with the ACT.