ATC Group: J04B Drugs for treatment of lepra

Sulfoxone is a competitive inhibitor of bacterial enzyme dihydropteroate synthetase. The normal substrate for the enzyme, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) cannot bind as usual. The inhibited reaction is necessary in these organisms for the synthesis of folic acid. Aldesulfone sodium (or sulfoxone) is an antibiotic used in the treatment of leprosy.

Clofazimine is an antimycobacterial drug. Clofazimine exerts a slow bactericidal effect on Mycobacterium leprae (Hansen’s bacillus). Clofazimine inhibits mycobacterial growth and binds preferentially to mycobacterial DNA.

Dapsone is a sulfone active against a wide range of bacteria. Dapsones mechanism of action is probably similar to that of the sulfonamides which involves inhibition of folic acid synthesis in susceptible organisms.