A 28-year-old woman with paucibacillary leprosy is started on standard WHO MDT. She develops dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome with fever, rash, and hepatitis. Which drug replaces dapsone in such cases while retaining activity against M. leprae?
- A Clofazimine ✓
- B Rifampicin
- C Ofloxacin
- D Clarithromycin
Correct answer: A. Clofazimine
Explanation
Clofazimine is a substituted iminophenazine dye with bactericidal activity against M. leprae. In dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome, clofazimine is the recommended replacement. It acts by binding to mycobacterial DNA and generating reactive oxygen species. Rifampicin is continued in the regimen but is not a replacement for dapsone. Ofloxacin and clarithromycin are alternatives but less commonly used.
Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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