Clinical Evaluation of Isonicotinic Acid Hydrazide as an Adjuvant in the Treatment of Lepromatous Leprosy

A clinical evaluation study of diasone, diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) and dihydrostreptomycin (DHSM) separately, conducted in four institutions including Westfort, has been reported by Doull (2). The present evaluation study of the effects of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid, INH) and of streptohydrazid on lepromatous leprosy, continued over a period of two years from September 1953 to September 1955, was modeled on that first study, and this report is modeled on the lines of Doull's report. In evaluating the effect of any drug it seems desirable that its effect should be compared with that of an inert placebo. This is not permissible in a long-term study when human lives and well-being are at stake. However, the beneficial effects of the sulfones in leprosy are now sufficiently established so that new drugs may be compared with the sulfones, taking them as the base line in the search for more effective new medicaments.