Abstract
Clofazimine (CFZ), an old hydrophobic riminophenazine, has a wide range of antimycobacterial activity ranging from leprosy to nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases. CFZ has several advantages such as a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, dose-dependent side effects as well as low price. In this narrative review, we have assessed the clinical development of CFZ, starting from the potential in vitro mechanism of actions, to the spectrum of side effects and potential drug–drug interactions, highlighting its current place in therapy and future possible use in leprosy, nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases and drug-resistant tuberculosis.
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Author contributions
N Riccardi, A Giacomelli, D Canetti, G Gaiera, MM Diaw, Z Udwadia, G Besozzi, L Codecasa and A Di Biagio substantial contributions to conception and design. N Riccardi, A Giacomelli, D Canetti, A Comelli, E Intini, G Gaiera and L Codecasa have participated in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content. All authors read, reviewed and approved the final manuscript.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.