In vivo and in vitro drug metabolism in patients with leprosy.

Plasma antipyrine and chloramphenicol clearance was studied in 23 patients of leprosy and 12 control subjects. Drug metabolising enzymes (aminopyrine N-demethylase and bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase) were estimated in liver biopsy samples of twelve patients and ten controls. A significant decrease in drug clearance and drug metabolising enzymes was observed. However, no significant correlation could be obtained between drug half lives and drug metabolising enzymes or with any of the liver function tests in these patients. The findings indicate that drug metabolism is impaired in leprosy patients.