Clofazimine
Description
Clofazimine is an antibacterial agent used along with other medicines in the treatment of leprosy, a long-term infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. This infection is characterized by the loss of parts of extremities due to repeated injuries or unnoticed wounds.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Clofazimine
- Dry or scaly skin
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Skin rash and itching
- Change in taste
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Skin discoloration
- Discoloration of urine, feces, sputum, sweat
Uses of Clofazimine
What is it prescribed for?
- Leprosy
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, close monitoring of the infant for any undesired effects is necessary. Your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding or to stop the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to clofazimine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, close monitoring of the infant for any undesired effects is necessary. Your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding or to stop the medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Skin discoloration
This medicine may cause orange-pink to brownish-black discoloration of skin as well as dry skin in some patients. It may also cause discoloration of conjunctivae, tears, sputum, sweat, urine, and feces. The patients should be advised regarding these effects and monitored for depression or suicidal ideation during treatment with this medicine.
Severe gastrointestinal symptoms
This medicine may cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as bowel obstruction, pain in the abdomen, gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. and should be used with extreme caution in patients who have gastrointestinal problems. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Ziprasidone
Efavirenz
Citalopram
Haloperidol
Clozapine
Amiodarone
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Strictly follow the instructions on the label and use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more than what is prescribed or share this medication with other people. It is advised that you should inform the doctor about all the medicines or herbal products that you are using and about all your medical conditions before using this medicine. You are advised to complete the prescribed course even if the symptoms get better.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by blocking the production of certain components necessary for the growth of bacteria.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Leprostatics
Schedule
Schedule H1
Clofazimine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
Clofazimine [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 23 Jan 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.