HEPATOTOXICITY OF THE DAILY COMBINATION OF 5 MG/KG PROTHIONAMIDE + 10 MG/KG RIFAMPIN

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 53  (1) , 15-18
Abstract
Because a 13% incidence of hepatotoxicity was observed in a 1st study of multibacillary leprosy patients treated daily with dapsone, rifampin and 10mg/kg thioamide, the patients were treated in a 2nd study with 5 mg/kg thioamide in daily combination with dapsone and rifampin. In this study, monthly assessments of liver function were performed in order to detect early hepatic disturbances. Despite the reduced dosage of thioamide, a 16.5% incidence of hepatotoxicity was observed among 110 multibacillary patients. Jaundice was observed in only 2 of 18 cases of hepatotoxicity (11%); whereas it was observed in 5 of the 7 cases of hepatotoxicity (71%) in the 1st study (P < 0.05). The decrease in the thioamide dosage and the performance of monthly assessments of liver function did not decrease the incidence of hepatotoxicity but did decrease its severity. Thus, thioamide should not be used in daily combination with rifampin unless the daily dose is 5 mg/kg and monthly assessments of liver function are routinely performed.