Lamprene - General Information:
A fat-soluble riminophenazine dye used for the treatment of leprosy. It has been used investigationally in combination with other antimycobacterial drugs to treat Mycobacterium avium infections in AIDS patients. Lamprene also has a marked anti-inflammatory effect and is given to control the leprosy reaction, erythema nodosum leprosum. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1993, p1619)
Lamprene for patients
Patients should be warned that Lamprene may cause a discoloration of the skin from red to brownish-black, as well as discoloration of the conjunctivae, lacrimal fluid, sweat, sputum, urine, and feces. Patients should be advised that skin discoloration, although reversible, may take several months or years to disappear after the conclusion of therapy with Lamprene.
Patients should be told to take Lamprene with meals.
Lamprene Interactions
Preliminary data which suggest that dapsone may inhibit the anti-inflammatory activity of Lamprene have not been confirmed. If leprosy-associated inflammatory reactions develop in patients being treated with dapsone and clofazimine, it is still advisable to continue treatment with both drugs.
Lamprene Contraindications
There are no known contraindications.
Additional information about Lamprene
Lamprene Indication:
For the treatment of lepromatous leprosy, including dapsone-resistant lepromatous leprosy and lepromatous leprosy complicated by erythema nodosum leprosum.
Mechanism Of Action:
Appears to preferentially bind to mycobacterial DNA leading to disruption of the cell cycle and eventually kills the bacterium. It may also bind to bacterial potassium transporters, thereby inhibiting their function. Lysophospholipids have been found to mediate the activity of this drug.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Clofazimine
Synonyms: Clofazimina [INN-Spanish]; Chlofazimine; Clofaziminum [INN-Latin]
Where to order Clofazimine (and Lamprene analogs) online:
Drug Category: Antimycobacterials; Leprostatic Agents; Dyes; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Clofazimine: Lampren; Lamprene;