Korean Leprosy Bulletin  2005;38(2):25-68

Hepatic and hematological adverse reactions associated with the use of multidrug therapy in leprosy.

Jong Pill KIM 1 ; Yeon sil KIM ; Young hyun KO

Affiliations

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Keywords

leprosy; MDT

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

One of the risks of combination therapy is probably the collective side effects. Fortunately, side effects reported worldwide after the use of MDT in thousands of patients remain mild and rare. This study analyses retrospectively some of the risks associated with the use of WHO-multidrug therapy (MDT) in Korea. Case records of 40 new cases of leprosy attending the Institute for Leprosy Research during 1991-2000, were analysed for adverse drug reactions involving the liver and blood. There were only some reports of suspected hematological adverse reactions(RBC count, hematocrit &, platelet count) associated with the use of MDT, but we could not find the clinical association of that finding. So we sustain that the MDT, recommended by KCDC, is relatively safe.