Clofazimine

Drug #184

Clofazimine is a phenazine dye. Clofazimine is used in the treatment of leprosy. Clofazimine is usually used in combination with other anti-leprosy medication such as dapsone.A fat soluble riminophenazine dye used for treatment --- . it has been used investigationally in combination with other antimyobacterial drugs to treat mycokacterium avium infect in AIDS patients.Its has moved anti-inflamatory effect is given to control the leprosy reaction,erythma leprosum.

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Primary Characteristics

Clofazimine is also known as Chlofazimine, Chlofazimina, Chlofaziminum.

It is of Synthetic origin and belongs to Riminophenazine.

It belongs to Antimycobacterial agent pharmacological group on the basis of mechanism of action. It is also classified under Leprostatics .

Molecular Weight: 473.4 · Solubility in Water: < 1 in 10000 · Solubility in Alcohol: 1 in 700 · Non-proprietary name: Clofazimine.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Clofazimine has an oral bioavailability is 53.5% (±8.5%).

Elimination: it is metabolised via hepatic, plasma half-life is 70days, renal excretion is 0.01-0.41%.

Indications

Clofazimine is primarily indicated in conditions like Discoid lupus erythematosus, Erythema nodosum leprosy, Leprosy, Multibacillary leprosy, Pustular psoriasis, Pyoderma gangrenosum, Renal transplant, Vitiligo.

Contraindications

Clofazimine is contraindicated in conditions like Diarrhoea, Peptic ulcer, Vomiting, Steatorrhoea.

Dosage

Clofazimine's dosage details are as follows:

Dose	Single Dose	Frequency	Route	Instructions
Adult Dosage
175 mg/kg	175 mg/kg	Every 24h	PO	For multi bacillary.
Paediatric Dosage (20kg)
4.166 mg/kg	4.166 mg/kg	—	Oral	Initially on alternate days
8.333 mg/kg	8.333 mg/kg	—	Oral	Maintenance per month
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
6.25 mg/kg	6.25 mg/kg	Every 12h	oral	Initial, weekly
12.5 mg/kg	12.5 mg/kg	—	oral	maintenance, monthly

Drug Interactions

Unknown3 interactions

Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.

Side Effects

Clofazimine in overdosage may give rise to further complications which include Diarrhoea , Bowel obstruction, Gi bleeding , GI bleeding, Bowel irregularity , Bowel obstruction.

Clofazimine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Nodular or polypoid changes, Mucosal pattern coarsen , Eosinophilic enteritis, Drug crystals deposition. Careful monitoring is needed with proper medical management.

Clofazimine is known to cause more or less tolerable side effects which are usually transient. These include Abdominal pain, Acneform, Anorexia , Dermatitis, Dry skin, Eruptions, Hair discoloration, Nausea, Phototoxicity , Pruritus , Skin discoloration, Vomiting .

Warnings / Precautions

Clofazimine should be used with caution in patients with any pre-existing stomach disorders or any allergy. It should be used with caution when driving or operating machinery because it may cause dizziness. This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy or lactation.

Interference in Pathology

Clofazimine may interfere in the diagnosis of Increases Serum Bilirubin , Elevation in ALT or AST.

Available Brands

None recorded.

Storage Conditions

Clofazimine should be stored Caps.

Drug Classification

1.6.2.3 — Antileprosy drugs