According to the WHO multidrug therapy regimen, paucibacillary leprosy is treated with which combination and total duration?

• A Rifampicin monthly plus dapsone daily for 12 months
• B Rifampicin monthly plus clofazimine daily for 24 months
• C Rifampicin monthly plus dapsone daily for 6 months ✓
• D Rifampicin and isoniazid daily plus dapsone for 9 months

Explanation

WHO paucibacillary regimen consists of monthly supervised rifampicin 600 mg plus daily self-administered dapsone 100 mg for a total of 6 months. Multibacillary disease adds daily clofazimine and extends treatment to 12 months under current WHO guidance. Under Indian NLEP convention the same PB regimen of 6 months applies. Clofazimine is not part of the PB regimen, and isoniazid has no role in standard leprosy multidrug therapy.

Reference: Park Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.