Class: Leprostatic; anti-infective
- Gel 5%
- Tablets 25 mg
- Tablets 100 mg
Mechanism of action is unknown; however, dapsone is bactericidal and bacteriostatic against Mycobacterium leprae .
Rapidly and nearly completely absorbed from the GI tract, reaching peak plasma concentrations in 4 to 8 h. Administration of 200 mg/day for 8 days achieves plateau levels of 0.1 to 7 mcg/mL.
Approximately 70% to 90% bound to plasma protein. The main metabolite, monoacetyl dapsone, is nearly 100% protein bound.
Dapsone is acetylated in the liver, the degree of which is genetically determined.
The plasma t ½ ranges from 10 to 50 h. Approximately 70% to 85% is excreted in the urine as conjugates and unidentified metabolites. Enterohepatic circulation accounts for appreciable tissue levels 3 wk after discontinuation of therapy.
Indications and UsageOral
Treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis; leprosy.Topical
Treatment of acne vulgaris.
Dosage and AdministrationAcne Vulgaris
Adults and Children 12 yr of age and older
Topical Apply an approximately pea-sized amount in a thin layer to the acne-affected areas twice daily. Rub in gently and completely.Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Adults and Children
PO Start with 50 mg/day in adults and correspondingly smaller doses in children. If full control is not achieved with 50 to 300 mg/day, higher doses may be tried. Reduce dose to minimum maintenance level as soon as possible. The time for dosage reduction is 8 mo (range, 4 mo to 2½ yr of age) and, for dosage elimination, 29 mo (range, 6 mo to 9 yr of age).Leprosy
Adults and Children
PO 100 mg/day in adults and correspondingly smaller doses in children without interruption in therapy with at least 1 antileprosy drug.
- Gently wash and pat skin dry prior to application.
- Wash hands after application.
- For external topical use only; not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
Store tablets at 68° to 77°F. Protect from light.Topical
Store gel at 59° to 86°F. Protect from freezing.
Absorption of dapsone may be decreased, resulting in a loss of efficacy.Folic acid antagonists (eg, pyrimethamine)
Risk of hematologic reactions may be increased.Rifampin
Dapsone levels may be reduced 7- to 10-fold.Topical benzoyl peroxide
Topical application of dapsone followed by topical benzoyl peroxide may cause temporary local yellow or orange discoloration of the skin and facial hair.Trimethoprim
Plasma concentrations of both dapsone and trimethoprim may be elevated, increasing the pharmacologic and toxic effects.
Laboratory Test Interactions
None well documented.
Headache, insomnia, peripheral neuropathy, psychosis, vertigo.Topical
Headache (4%); pyrexia (1%); suicide attempt, tonic-clonic movements.
Bullous and exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, morbilliform and scarlatiniform reactions, phototoxicity, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), urticaria.Topical
Application-site reaction (18%); dryness (16%); erythema, oiliness/peeling (13%); burning, pruritus (1%).
Blurred vision, tinnitus.Topical
Nasopharyngitis (5%); pharyngitis (2%); severe pharyngitis.
Abdominal pain, nausea, pancreatitis, vomiting.Topical
Abdominal pain, pancreatitis, severe vomiting.
Albuminuria, male infertility, nephrotoxic syndrome, renal papillary necrosis.
Agranulocytosis, hemolysis, hemolytic anemia.
Joint spasm (1%).
Upper respiratory tract infection (3%); cough, sinusitis (2%).
Fever, hypoalbuminemia without proteinuria, infectious mononucleosis–like syndrome, lupus erythematosus.Topical
Ensure that CBC and differential are performed and evaluated prior to starting therapy, weekly for the first month of therapy, then monthly for 6 mo, and every 6 mo thereafter during treatment.
Category C .
Excreted in breast milk.Topical
Children are treated on the same schedule as adults, but with correspondingly smaller doses. Dapsone is generally not considered to have an effect on the later growth and functional development of children.Topical
Safety and efficacy not established in children younger than 12 yr of age.
Serious cutaneous reactions (eg, erythema multiforme, TEN) resulting from hypersensitivity may occur. In addition, sulfone syndrome, a potentially fatal hypersensitivity with symptoms of exfoliative dermatitis, fever, hemolytic anemia, jaundice with hepatic necrosis, lymphadenopathy, malaise, and methemoglobinemia, may occur.
Toxic hepatitis or cholestatic jaundice have been reported and hyperbilirubinemia may occur more frequently in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency.
Deaths caused by agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias have occurred. Treat severe anemia prior to initiation of dapsone therapy.
Because hemolysis and Heinz body formation may be exaggerated in individuals with G-6-PD deficiency, hemoglobin M, or methemoglobin reductase deficiency, give dapsone with caution to patients with these conditions or patients exposed to other agents or with conditions capable of producing hemolysis (eg, diabetic ketosis).
Has been reported with oral treatment.
Hyperexcitability, methemoglobin-induced depression, nausea, seizures or severe cyanosis, severe anoxia (with retinal and optic nerve damage), vomiting.
- Review dosing schedule and prescribed length of therapy with patient.
- Advise patient that medication may be started at a low dose and then gradually increased to provide max benefit.
- Instruct patient to continue to take other prescribed medications while taking dapsone.
- Emphasize to patient that treatment will be lengthy and that the entire course of treatment must be completed to avoid relapse or development of resistance.
- Advise patient to take each dose with food if GI upset occurs.
- Instruct patient to stop using and notify health care provider immediately if any of the following symptoms occur: fever, muscle weakness, paleness, purple discoloration of skin, skin rash, sore throat, yellowing of skin or eyes.
- Advise patient that drug may cause blurred vision or dizziness and to use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring mental alertness until tolerance is determined.
- Instruct patient to report any signs of adverse reactions to health care provider.
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