Does clofazimine have a prophylactic role against neuritis?

A study was undertaken with the aim of testing the usefulness of clofazimine as a prophylactic agent against neuritis and nerve damage. A modified regimen, using initial high doses of clofazimine followed by regular multibacillary multidrug therapy (MB-MDT) WHO regimen, was given to a series of consecutive cases of high risk borderline leprosy patients, fulfilling defined selection criteria (n = 65). These patients were studied for the incidence of neuritis/Type I reaction, over a period of 2 years. Results were compared with a matched series of consecutive cases treated only with regular MB-MDT WHO regimen (n1 = 57). The difference in incidence rates of neuritis between the two groups was significant (p < 0.01), suggesting that clofazimine may have a useful prophylactic role against neuritis/Type I reaction and nerve damage.