dapsone

What is the most important information I should know about dapsone?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is dapsone?

Dapsone is an anti-infective medicine that fights bacteria.

Dapsone is used to treat dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin condition) and leprosy.

Dapsone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dapsone?

To make sure dapsone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;
• methemoglobin reductase deficiency (hemoglobin M);
• liver disease;
• heart disease; or
• lung disease.

How should I take dapsone?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Dapsone may be only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special diet. Follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. Get familiar with the list of foods you must avoid to help control your condition.

Your doctor will need to check your progress while you are using dapsone.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may vomiting, feeling restless or excited, and a pale or blue-colored appearance.

What should I avoid while taking dapsone?

What are the possible side effects of dapsone?

• worsening or no improvement in your symptoms;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
• unusual thoughts or behavior;
• new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing;
• swelling, rapid weight gain, little or no urinating;
• signs of abnormal blood cell counts --sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing, pale skin, easy bruising, purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
• pancreas problems --severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• an autoimmune disorder --joint pain or swelling with fever, headaches, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, and butterfly-shaped skin rash on your cheeks and nose that worsens in sunlight; or
• severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
• headache;
• dizziness or spinning sensation;
• blurred vision, ringing in your ears; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect dapsone?

Other drugs may interact with dapsone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about dapsone.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.02. Revision date: 11/19/2013.