Clofazimine

Generic name: Clofazimine [ kloe-FAZ-i-meen ]
Drug class: Leprostatics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 15, 2023.

Uses of Clofazimine:

• It is used to treat leprosy.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Clofazimine?

• If you are allergic to clofazimine; any part of clofazimine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take clofazimine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Clofazimine?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take clofazimine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Very bad stomach or bowel problems like blockage or bleeding have rarely happened with clofazimine. Sometimes, deaths have happened after people have had very bad stomach or bowel problems. Talk with the doctor.
• Most of the time, clofazimine causes a change in the color of the skin to an orange-pink to brown-black color. This could also happen to stools and body fluids like tears, sweat, spit, and urine. It may take several months or years to go back to normal after stopping clofazimine. Sometimes, this has led to depression and suicide. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are a man and have sex with a female who could get pregnant, protect her from pregnancy during treatment and for at least 4 months after your last dose.
• If you are a man and your sex partner gets pregnant while you take clofazimine or within 4 months after your last dose, call your doctor right away.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• If you are able to get pregnant, a pregnancy test will be done to show that you are NOT pregnant before starting clofazimine. Talk with your doctor.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking clofazimine and for 4 months after your last dose.
• If you get pregnant while taking clofazimine or within 4 months after your last dose, call your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Clofazimine) best taken?

Use clofazimine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with meals.
• It is important that you do not miss or skip a dose of clofazimine during treatment.
• Keep taking clofazimine as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of depression, thoughts of suicide, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• Stomach pain.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
• Dizziness.
• A type of abnormal heartbeat (prolonged QT interval) can happen with clofazimine. Call your doctor right away if you have a fast heartbeat, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, or if you pass out.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Clofazimine?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dry skin.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Clofazimine?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about clofazimine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer