Dapsone
Description
Dapsone is an antibacterial drug used along with other drugs in the treatment of leprosy, a long-term infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae> or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. This infection is characterized by the loss of parts of extremities due to repeated injuries or unnoticed wounds. This medicine should be used with caution in patients with severe anemia or glucose-6-phosphate deficiency or methemoglobinemia due to the increased risk of hemolytic anemia.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Dapsone
- Hemolysis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Suicidal thinking and behaviour
- Convulsions
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Skin rash
- Fever
- Yellowing of skin and eyes
- Photosensitivity of skin
Uses of Dapsone
What is it prescribed for?
- Leprosy
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
- Acne vulgaris
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThere is no well-established clinical data available regarding the duration of action of this medicine.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, close monitoring of the infant for any undesired effects is necessary. Your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding or to stop the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to dapsone or any other components present with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, close monitoring of the infant for any undesired effects is necessary. Your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding or to stop the medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Severe anemia
Dapsone should be used with caution in patients with severe anemia due to the increased risk of hemolytic anemia, a condition in which the red blood cells are destroyed.
Exposure to sun
Dapsone may cause the skin to become sensitive to bright light. Hence, it is advised to limit exposure to sunlight or sunlamps only for a short period of time. It is advised to wear protective clothing or use sunscreen if you are going out for a long period of time.
Lab tests
Regular lab tests including complete blood counts should be performed to monitor the adverse effects of this medicine.
Secondary infection
Long term or repeated use of Dapsone may cause secondary infections. Report any signs of secondary infection to the doctor immediately. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine based on the clinical condition.
Methemoglobinemia
Dapsone should be used with caution in patients with methemoglobin reductase deficiency due to the increased risk of hemolytic anemia, a condition in which the red blood cells are destroyed.
Glucose-6-phosphate deficiency
Dapsone should be used with caution in patients with G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency due to the increased risk of hemolytic anemia, a condition in which the red blood cells are destroyed.
Missed Dose
If a dose of Dapsone is missed, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact a doctor immediately in the case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Diltiazem
Amiodarone
Sodium Nitrite
Deferiprone
Live cholera vaccine
Local anesthetics
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Strictly follow the instructions on the label and use Dapsone only as directed. Do not use more than what is prescribed or share this medication with other people. It is advised that you should inform the doctor about all the medicines or herbal products that you are using and about all your medical conditions before using this medicine. You are advised to complete the prescribed course even if the symptoms get better.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Dapsone works by blocking the production of certain components necessary for the bacteria to divide and increase in numbers.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antileprotics, Topical acne agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Dapsone [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 25 July 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - DAPSONE- dapsone tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 25 July 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 25 July 2017]. Available from:
Dapsone - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 25 July 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Aug 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.