Leprosy elimination
MDT overview
If leprosy is diagnosed and treated early on, MDT will prevent disabilities. WHO estimates that early detection of leprosy cases and treatment with MDT have prevented disabilities in 3 - 4 million people.
MDT is safe and effective. Recurrence of the disease is very rare after treatment has been completed. No resistance to MDT has been reported. MDT calendar blister packs are easy to administer and protect the drugs from heat and moisture.
MDT regimens
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Single-lesion paucibacillary (SLPB) cases can be treated with a single dose of three drugs (ROM).
Paucibacillary (PB) cases are treated with six calendar blister packs to be taken within six to nine months.
Multibacillary (MB) cases are treated with twelve calendar blister packs to be taken within twelve to eighteen months.
After the first dose of MDT, patients are no longer infectious. |