Clofazimine

​Common side effects include:

• Orange-pink or reddish, to brownish-black discolouration of the skin, as well, as eyes, tears, sweat, saliva, urine and stools
• This is a normal reaction by your body to the medication. Do not be alarmed.
• After you stop taking the medication, it should return to normal. However, it may take several months or years for the skin discolouration to return to normal. Sometimes, this may become bothersome and affects your mood, leading to thoughts of harming yourself. Please inform your doctor if this happens.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses during treatment as this medication may stain the contact lenses.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain
• Take the medication after food to reduce these side effects.
• Dry, rough or scaly skin, dry eyes and increased skin sensitivity to sunlight
• Moisturize your skin daily.
• Apply lubricant eye drops for dry eyes, if necessary.
• Avoid tanning quipment and too much exposure to the sun. Use sunscreen and covered clothing if you need to be under the sun for a long period of time.

Inform your doctor if these side effects become severe and bothersome, or if you experience any other side effects.

Very rarely, this medication may cause:

• Prolonged or severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain; passing out bloody or black stools, vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
• Rapid, irregular or abnormal heartbeat
• Depression (low mood) or thoughts of harming yourself

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

​Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication, including peanuts or soya (capsule may contain soybean oil).
• You or your partner are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• For  women, use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 4 months after stopping the medication
• For men, condoms should be used during intercourse and for at least 4 months after stopping the medication
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies
• You have a history of or current medical conditions such as heart disease, stomach or bowel problems and depression

​Some medications may affect how Clofazimine works or be affected by Clofazimine.  Please inform your other healthcare professionals about this medication which you are taking if you are seeing them for other medical conditions.

• ​Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• It is important to complete the entire course of medication, even when you start feeling better during the treatment. This ensures that the bacteria in your body is fully killed.
• This medication should be taken after food.
• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not open the capsule.
• Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have difficulty swallowing or if the dose required is less than the contents of an entire capsule.

​If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

​Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.