dapsone
Dapsone is a tablet that's used for treating a skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis and leprosy in children and adults. It belongs to the drug class known as sulfones. This medication is typically taken by mouth once a day. Side effects can include low red blood cells, nausea, and stomach pain. Dapsone is no longer available as a brand name, and only comes as a generic.
What is Dapsone?
What is Dapsone used for?
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
- Leprosy
How Dapsone works
Dapsone is an antibiotic. The way it works to treat dermatitis herpetiformis is by blocking white blood cells from traveling to certain areas of your body and causing inflammation. For leprosy, dapsone stops the bacteria causing your infection from making substances essential for their growth.
Drug facts
Side effects of Dapsone
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Lower red blood cell counts
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Trouble sleeping
- Fever
- Headache
- Skin sensitive to light
Dapsone serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Blood problems (methemoglobinemia): seizures, loss of consciousness, fast heart beat, trouble breathing, feeling dizzy or faint, feeling tired, skin color turning blue
- Breakdown of red blood cells: back pain, dark brown urine, shortness of breath, fever, tiredness or weakness, yellow skin or whites of the eyes
- Low platelets: easy bruising or bleeding, blood in urine or stool
- Low white blood cells: fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, pain while urinating
- Liver damage: stomach pain, clay-colored stools, nausea, vomiting, yellow skin or whites of the eyes
- Severe skin reaction: blisters, peeling skin, red skin, itching, rash, fever
More on Dapsone side effects
The following Dapsone side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Aplastic anemia—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, increased bleeding or bruising
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Dapsone
Pros
- Only taken once a day
- Works to relieve itching from dermatitis herpetiformis within days of starting
- Option for children
Cons
- Can cause serious blood-related side effects
- Must be taken with other medications to treat leprosy
- Not safe to take while breastfeeding
Pharmacist tips for Dapsone
- If you're taking dapsone to treat leprosy, you must take it with other medications prescribed by your provider. It won't work by itself.
- If you're taking dapsone for dermatitis herpetiformis, your provider will need to monitor you carefully and adjust your dose based on how well the medication is working for you and if you're having side effects. Be sure to attend all of your appointments.
- You can take dapsone with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking it with food to help.
- Dapsone can lower your blood cell counts, so your provider will want to monitor you through regular blood tests. Make sure to get all of your labs done on time.
Common questions about Dapsone
Weight gain isn't a common side effect of Dapsone. But if you're receiving treatment for leprosy or dermatitis herpetiformis, your provider might also prescribe corticosteroids, which can cause weight gain. If you notice an unusual change in your weight, contact your healthcare provider.
No. Dapsone isn't a corticosteroid, it's an antibiotic.
Yes. Dapsone is an antibiotic. It blocks bacteria that cause leprosy from making a substance that's essential for their growth.
Dapsone is a sulfone, and it's related to sulfa medications. If you've a sulfa allergy, you might also be allergic to Dapsone. Make sure to tell your provider all of your allergies, especially if you've had an allergic reaction to sulfa medications.
There isn't enough information to know if Dapsone is safe to take during pregnancy. But researchers do know that Dapsone can get into breast milk, and can cause harm to breastfed babies. It's not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your provider about the risks and benefits of this medication.
Most people typically take Dapsone to treat leprosy for 6-12 months. It can depend on what type of leprosy you have. Since everyone responds to treatment differently, the amount of time you'll need to take Dapsone can look different for you. Follow up with your provider to learn more.
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Risks and warnings for Dapsone
Dapsone can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Blood problem (methemoglobinemia)
- Risk factors: History of methemoglobinemia | History of low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
Dapsone can cause a rare condition called methemoglobinemia, a serious blood problem where your red blood cells can't bring enough oxygen to your body. This condition is more likely if you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in your red blood cells. Get medical help right away if you notice your lips, mouth, or nails turning blue or gray.
Low blood cell counts
Dapsone can affect other blood cell counts. There have been reports of agranulocytosis (low white blood cell count), aplastic anemia (body not able to produce blood cells), and other blood-related problems. Some of these condition can raise your risk for other problems, such infections or higher risk of bleeding. Because of this, your provider might recommend regular blood draws to check your blood cell counts.
If you already have blood problems like anemia, your provider will treat those conditions before you can start dapsone. Let your provider know right away if you experience symptoms of blood-related problems, such as sore throat, fever, pale skin, skin bruising.
Severe skin reactions
Dapsone can rarely cause severe skin reactions. If you notice hives, blisters, peeling skin, red skin, pain, or fever, get medical help right away.
Liver damage and jaundice
- Risk factors: History of liver problems
Dapsone can cause liver damage and jaundice. This usually happens when you first start taking dapsone. Watch out for signs of liver damage, such as nausea, stomach pain, and yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes. Call your provider if you notice any of these symptoms.
Dapsone dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25mg | 60 tablets | $38.39 | $0.64 |
| 100mg | 30 tablets | $33.52 | $1.12 |
Typical dosage for Dapsone
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 50 mg by mouth once daily. Your provider might raise your dose depending on your response. The typical dose ranges from 50 mg to 300 mg once daily.
- Children: Ask your child's provider.
- Leprosy
- Adults: The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth once daily.
- Children: Ask your child's provider.
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