Clofazimine: An Old Drug for Never-Ending Diseases
Niccolò Riccardi, Andrea Giacomelli, Diana Canetti, Agnese Comelli, Enrica Intini, Giovanni Gaiera, Mama Moussa Diaw, Zarir Udwadia, Giorgio Besozzi, Luigi Ruffo Codecasa, Antonio Di Biagio
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.