Contents:
- Medical Video: Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy
- How do leprosy drugs work?
- What are the consequences if you forget to take leprosy medicine?
- What are the side effects of leprosy drugs?
Medical Video: Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy
Leprosy can be treated withmulti drug therapy (MDT) which uses a combination of several antibiotics. These drugs must be taken every day for six months to two years. So, what if you forget to take leprosy medicine?
How do leprosy drugs work?
Medications that are usually prescribed for MDT consist of a combination of dapsone, rifampicin, clofazimine or lamprene, ofloxacin, and / or minocycline. The combination of leprosy drugs will be adjusted to the type of leprosy owned.
Basically, each of these drugs works to weaken the defense system of leprosy-causing bacteria to inhibit their proliferation so that the entire colony can be turned off over time. These drugs are also anti-inflammatory to treat the symptoms of leprosy that arise.
Therefore, the principle of MDT is believed to be able to shorten the treatment period, break the chain of leprosy transmission, and prevent the occurrence of defects. Using a variety of antibiotics simultaneously in one time is intended so that bacteria are not immune to the drugs given so that leprosy will be cured quickly. Reporting from the WHO, a recent study found that a combination of clofazimine and dapsone can kill leprosy bacteria that are immune to rifampicin.
Treatment of leprosy usually lasts for six months to two years. During this time, you should not forget to take leprosy medicine so that your illness can be completely cured. Immediately drink a dose that is missed once you remember. But if the distance is too close to the next dose, do not double the dose. Go ahead.
What are the consequences if you forget to take leprosy medicine?
Non-discipline in taking medicine makes the bacteria that causes leprosy become stronger and immune to current and subsequent treatments. As a result, the symptoms you experience can get worse because the bacteria continue to multiply in the body.
The risk of complications can occur if leprosy is not treated thoroughly. Leprosy infections that are allowed to continue can cause permanent nerve damage, muscle weakness, progressive defects (for example leg, hand and nose deformity), or amputation.
This can ultimately further prolong the duration of treatment and make it difficult. If bacteria multiply in the body, doctors will usually extend the therapy for 12 months thereafter, accompanied by special therapy as a treatment for the accompanying complications.
Not only will your condition deteriorate, you often forget or stop taking medication and also risk transmitting the infection to other people. Yes. Although transmission of leprosy is not as simple as transmission of flu, but bacteria that cause leprosy can still move and infect others. It could be, the people closest to you get this disease later on if you don't routinely take leprosy medicine.
What are the side effects of leprosy drugs?
When you have taken leprosy medication as instructed by your doctor, then during the treatment period you may experience a leprosy reaction. Leprosy reaction is a condition that occurs when bacteria begin to react to the drug you are taking. At that moment, your immune system is also developing and building defenses to attack bacteria. Symptoms that may arise due to leprosy reactions may include redness, dryness, and flaking, to joint pain.
These side effects are experienced in as many as 25-40% of patients with leprosy and usually often appear 6 months to one year after treatment begins. However, that does not mean you have to stop taking leprosy medication. Changing the dose or stopping taking leprosy without the doctor's knowledge can actually worsen your overall health.
If symptoms appear other than general side effects, contact a doctor immediately. Usually the drug can be replaced with other drugs according to the dosage and type of leprosy you suffer. Similarly, if you have a history of other diseases such as bronchitis, kidney disorders, or other diseases. Consult first so that the other drugs you are taking do not worsen your leprosy infection.
