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Introduction About DAPSONE 100MG TABLET

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET contains Dapsone which belongs to the group of medicines called Sulfone antibiotics. It is used in the management of leprosy which is caused by bacterial infection and characterised by symptoms such as skin lesions and nerve damage and manages blistering skin disorders such as dermatitis herpetiformis (which is connected to gluten sensitivity).

Also, it manages pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs caused by microorganisms in which the air sacs are filled with pus and may become solid) in immunodeficient patients (particularly in AIDS patients).

Before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have severe anaemia, porphyria (a disorder of the red blood pigment), severe glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) which can cause episodes of anaemia after eating certain foods such as fava beans, any type of blood disorders and heart, liver or lung diseases.

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET should be used in pregnant and breast-feeding women only if advised by the doctor. Your doctor may prescribe folic acid supplements. DAPSONE 100MG TABLET can cause anaemia in infants when passed through the breast milk. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

It should be used with caution in children and adolescents (from 6 years of age to 12 years above). It should be used with caution in elderly patients particularly with liver impairment.

The most common side effects of taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET are decreased number of red blood cells which may make you feel tired, signs of methemoglobinemia (blood disorder) such as shortness of breath, feeling tired, bluish tinge to the skin. Consult with your doctor if the symptoms get worse.

Uses Of DAPSONE 100MG TABLET

Leprosy
Dermatitis herpetiformis (blistering skin disorder)
Prevents pneumonia in immunodeficient patients (particularly in AIDS patients)

How DAPSONE 100MG TABLET Works

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET acts as both antibacterial and antiprotozoal medicine in the same way as sulphonamides, that is by inhibiting the synthesis of di-hydro folic acid through competition with a chemical that is necessary for the growth and multiplication of the microorganisms (bacteria, protozoa).

How to use DAPSONE 100MG TABLET

Take DAPSONE 100MG TABLET as advised by your doctor. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight and disease condition.

Side Effects Of DAPSONE 100MG TABLET

Common

decreased number of red blood cells which may make you feel tired
signs of methemoglobinemia (blood disorder) such as shortness of breath, feeling tired, bluish tinge to the skin

Uncommon

fast heartbeat
loss of appetite
nausea, vomiting
headache
nerve damage which may result in tingling in your arms or legs and weakness
difficulty in sleeping
hallucinations, delusions
excessive movements
loss of contact with reality
skin sensitivity to sun or light
itching, skin rash

Rare

skin rashes, blisters or peeling of skin (exfoliative dermatitis)
severe, raised, red, lumpy rash (maculopapular rash)
red, painful raised rash with skin loss (toxic epidermal necrolysis)
flu-like symptoms followed by a red or purple rash which spreads, blisters and skin loss (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

Stop taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

dapsone syndrome (which may occur after three to six weeks of management) which causes symptoms such as skin rashes, fever and changes in blood cells (characterised by fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, fast heartbeat) may occur which may lead to severe skin reactions, liver inflammation, kidney damage and mental illness.

How To Manage Side Effects

Nausea and Vomiting:

While taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET plan simple meals and try to avoid oil-rich food or spicy foods. Consult your doctor immediately if the symptom does not improve.

Loss of appetite:

Eating frequent small meals can also be helpful, and these are usually easier on the stomach than large meals. Light exercise may also help increase appetite. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Headache:

Use a heating pad or hot compress. Ease pressure on your scalp or head. Keep yourself hydrated and practice relaxation. Consult your doctor if the symptoms does not improve.

Skin rash:

Do not scratch the affected area. Wear protective clothing while going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. Consult your doctor if the symptom worsens.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET should be used only if clearly considered necessary when you are pregnant or planning to have a baby as it may increase the risk of foetal abnormalities. Consult your doctor before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET.

Breastfeeding

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET should be used in breastfeeding women, only if clearly considered necessary as it may pass through the breast milk and cause haemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). Hence, consult with your doctor, before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET if you are breastfeeding.

Driving and Using Machines

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET does not have any effect on driving and using machines.

Alcohol

Alcohol intake is not recommended while taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET. Consult with your doctor before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET.

Liver

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver disease. Consult with your doctor before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET.

Allergy

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Dapsone or any other similar drugs such as sulphonamides (sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole) and sulfones (acedapsone).

Lungs

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with lung disease. Consult with your doctor before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET.

Heart Disease

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with heart disease. Consult with your doctor before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET.

Others

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET is not recommended for use if you have:

severe anaemia
porphyria (a disorder of the red blood pigment, haemoglobin)
severe glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) which can cause episodes of anaemia after eating certain foods such as fava beans (favism)

Before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you:

have any type of blood disorders

Use in paediatrics:

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET is not recommended for use in children less than 6 years of age. It should be used with caution in children and adolescents (from 6 years of age to 12 years above). Consult with your child’s doctor for advice before giving the medicine to your child.

Use in geriatrics:

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients with liver impairment. Consult with your doctor before taking the medicine.

Interactions

A. Drug-drug interactions:

Before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET, inform your doctor, if you are taking any of the following medicines:

probenecid (used to manage gout)
rifampicin or trimethoprim (antibiotics used in the management of infections)
oral typhoid vaccination (used in the management of typhoid)
saquinavir (used in the management of AIDS or HIV-I infections)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of DAPSONE 100MG TABLET it may cause nausea, vomiting or hyperexcitability. Consult with your doctor if the symptoms get worse. If any signs of methaemoglobin such as depression, convulsions or severe cyanosis occur after an overdosage, visit the nearby hospital immediately.

Synopsis

Drug	:	Dapsone
Pharmacological Category	:	Sulfone antibiotics
Therapeutic Indication	:	Leprosy, Dermatitis herpetiformis,Pneumonia
Dosage Forms	:	Tablet, gel

More Information

Keep the medicine away from children
Store at room temperature

FAQs About DAPSONE 100MG TABLET

What happens if someone accidentally takes more DAPSONE 100MG TABLET?

If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of DAPSONE 100MG TABLET at the same time, or you think a child may have swallowed any, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately.

What should I tell my doctor before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET?

Before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have the following health conditions such as severe anaemia, porphyria (a disorder of the red blood pigment, haemoglobin), severe glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) which can cause episodes of anaemia after eating certain foods such as fava beans (favism), any type of blood disorders and heart, liver or lung diseases.

Is DAPSONE 100MG TABLET safe to use in breastfeeding women?

Can DAPSONE 100MG TABLET be used in children?

Is DAPSONE 100MG TABLET safe to use in patients with liver problems?

DAPSONE 100MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver disease. Your doctor may monitor your liver function tests during management with this medicine to manage the risk of any unusual effects. Consult with your doctor before taking DAPSONE 100MG TABLET.

References

1. Bertram G. Katzung. Dapsone. Drugs active against non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Antimycobacterial agents. Basic and clinical pharmacology. Fourteenth edition. 2015. Page-850.

2. K.D. Tripathi. Dapsone. Antileprotic drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Sixth edition. Page-751-752.

3. G. Kannan, J. Vasantha, N. Vanitha Rani, P. Thennarasu, K. Kousalya, P. Anuradha, and C. Umamaheswara Reddy. Drug Usage Evaluation of Dapsone. PMC. NIH National Library of Medicine; National centre for biotechnology information. August 2009. [Accessed on May 6th 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2865824/

4. Gottfried Wozel and Christian Blasum. Dapsone in dermatology and beyond. PMC. NIH National Library of Medicine; National centre for biotechnology information. December 2013. [Accessed on May 6th 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3927068/

5. Alvogen, Inc. NIH National Library of Medicine; National centre for biotechnology information. Dailymed. [Revised in September 2021] [Accessed on May 6th 2022] https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7fc98c9b-b17a-f66f-055b-259207ad9504&audience=consumer.

6. Accord. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in September 2020] [Accessed on May 6th 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5769.pdf

7. MIAS Pharma Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in January 2022] [Accessed on May 6th 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.11868.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

Skin smears
Skin biopsy

Author Details

Written By Dr. R. Dinesh John Rajkumar - Pharm.D

Reviewed For Accuracy By Dr. Nitin Sattiwale - MBBS

Last updated on 06 Dec 2022 | 04:29 PM(IST)