{"id":53837,"date":"2023-09-20T09:51:34","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T09:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medsname.com\/dapsone-tablets\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T10:49:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T10:49:12","slug":"dapsone-tablets","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/medsbase.com\/el\/dapsone-tablets\/","title":{"rendered":"Dapsone Tablets"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

⚡ Quick Answer — What is Dapsone Tablets?<\/h3>\n

Dapsone Tablets<\/strong> \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03ad\u03c7\u03b5\u03b9 dapsone (4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, DDS) 100 mg<\/strong> — a sulfone-class antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drug from Abbott India. Dapsone is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines as the cornerstone of multi-drug therapy (MDT) for leprosy (Hansen’s disease)<\/strong>; it is also first-line for dermatitis herpetiformis (the skin manifestation of coeliac disease)<\/strong>, and is widely used as second-line PCP prophylaxis<\/strong> (in HIV \/ immunocompromised patients allergic to co-trimoxazole), and off-label for severe inflammatory acne (acne fulminans, hidradenitis suppurativa)<\/strong>. Standard dosing:<\/strong> Leprosy MDT — 100 mg\/day (multibacillary 12 months; paucibacillary 6 months). Dermatitis herpetiformis — 50-300 mg\/day titrated to symptom control. PCP prophylaxis — 100 mg\/day. CRITICAL safety steps before starting:<\/strong> screen for G6PD deficiency<\/strong> (dose-dependent severe haemolysis if deficient); obtain baseline FBC, reticulocyte count, methaemoglobin, and LFTs<\/strong>; counsel patient on dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) which can be fatal in the first 6 weeks. Dapsone is restricted to specialist supervision in most contexts<\/strong> — this is not a self-treatment medication.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc \u03c0\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bb\u03b1\u03bc\u03b2\u03ac\u03bd\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd MedsBase:<\/strong> \u03a0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03b7\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03c5\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae\u03c2 WHO-GMP \u00b7 \u0394\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03c3\u03c5\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03c5\u03b1\u03c3\u03af\u03b1 \u00b7 \u03a0\u03b1\u03b3\u03ba\u03cc\u03c3\u03bc\u03b9\u03b1 \u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03bb\u03ae \u00b7 1,400+ \u03b5\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b7\u03b8\u03b5\u03c5\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2 \u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ad\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b5\u03bb\u03b1\u03c4\u03ce\u03bd<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\ud83d\udce6 \u039a\u03ac\u03b8\u03b5 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03af\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c0\u03c4\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03a0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u0395\u03b3\u03b3\u03cd\u03b7\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2 \u0395\u03c0\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03bb\u03ae\u03c2<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 \u03b5\u03ac\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf \u03b4\u03ad\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c3\u03b1\u03c2 \u03b4\u03b5\u03bd \u03c6\u03c4\u03ac\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9 \u03b5\u03bd\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2 20 \u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u03ac\u03c3\u03b9\u03bc\u03c9\u03bd \u03b7\u03bc\u03b5\u03c1\u03ce\u03bd, \u03c4\u03bf \u03b5\u03c0\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03ad\u03bb\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5\u03bc\u03b5.<\/p>\n

\u0393\u03b9\u03b1\u03c4\u03af \u03bd\u03b1 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bb\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7 MedsBase<\/h3>\n

\u03a4\u03b1 \u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u03cc\u03c3\u03b7\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c6\u03ac\u03c1\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03ac \u03bc\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ad\u03c1\u03c7\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03c5\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2 \u03c0\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd WHO-GMP \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03ad\u03bb\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c0\u03b1\u03b3\u03ba\u03bf\u03c3\u03bc\u03af\u03c9\u03c2 \u03c3\u03b5 \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae, \u03b1\u03c0\u03bb\u03ae \u03c3\u03c5\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03c5\u03b1\u03c3\u03af\u03b1 \u2014 \u03c7\u03c9\u03c1\u03af\u03c2 \u03cc\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c6\u03b1\u03c1\u03bc\u03ac\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf \u03b5\u03be\u03c9\u03c4\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b4\u03ad\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2. \u039f\u03b9 \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03ad\u03c2 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03ba\u03ac\u03c1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03b4\u03c1\u03bf\u03bc\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bc\u03ad\u03c3\u03c9 \u03c1\u03c5\u03b8\u03bc\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b5\u03c0\u03b5\u03be\u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae (\u03bf\u03b9 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03b3\u03c1\u03b1\u03c6\u03ad\u03c2 \u03b5\u03ba\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03bb\u03b1\u03bc\u03b2\u03ac\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd \u03c1\u03c5\u03b8\u03bc\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf \u03b5\u03c0\u03b5\u03be\u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03ce\u03bd \u03bc\u03b5 \u03ba\u03ac\u03c1\u03c4\u03b1 \u2014 \u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03ad \u201cMedsBase\u201d \u03ae \u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03bf\u03b4\u03ae\u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03b5 \u03cc\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c6\u03b1\u03c1\u03bc\u03ac\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5). \u0393\u03af\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b4\u03b5\u03ba\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03ad\u03c2 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03ba\u03c1\u03c5\u03c0\u03c4\u03bf\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u03c1\u03b1\u03c0\u03b5\u03b6\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03c6\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac SEPA. \u039a\u03ac\u03b8\u03b5 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03af\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c0\u03c4\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03a0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u0395\u03c0\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03bb\u03ae\u03c2 \u0395\u03be\u03b1\u03c3\u03c6\u03b1\u03bb\u03af\u03c3\u03b5\u03ce\u03c2 \u03bc\u03b1\u03c2.<\/p>\n

What Is Dapsone Tablets?<\/h2>\n

Dapsone Tablets is an oral preparation of dapsone (DDS) 100 mg<\/strong> manufactured by Abbott India, supplied in pack sizes of 1000 \/ 2000 \/ 3000 tablets. The large pack sizes reflect dapsone’s primary use in WHO leprosy MDT programmes<\/strong> (12-month courses for multibacillary disease, treating large patient cohorts) and in chronic dermatology (dermatitis herpetiformis, hidradenitis suppurativa, lupus-related dermatoses) where therapy may continue for years.<\/p>\n

Dapsone has been in continuous clinical use since 1937 (introduced for streptococcal infection by Domagk), repurposed for leprosy by Faget in 1941, and remains a cornerstone of dermatology and infectious-disease pharmacology nearly a century later.<\/p>\n

How Does Dapsone Work?<\/h2>\n

Dapsone has two distinct mechanisms<\/strong> that explain its very wide range of indications:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Antibacterial action<\/strong> — competitive inhibition of bacterial dihydropteroate synthase (the same enzyme target as sulphonamides), blocking folate synthesis and bacterial growth. Active against Mycobacterium leprae<\/em>, Plasmodium falciparum<\/em> (combined with proguanil for malaria prophylaxis historically), and Pneumocystis jirovecii<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  • Anti-inflammatory action<\/strong> — inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis and the myeloperoxidase \/ hypochlorous-acid pathway. This is the mechanism that makes dapsone useful in neutrophilic dermatoses (dermatitis herpetiformis, hidradenitis suppurativa, pyoderma gangrenosum, leucocytoclastic vasculitis, bullous pemphigoid).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Dapsone is well-absorbed orally (peak 2-8 hours), highly protein-bound, metabolised by the liver to N-acetyl-dapsone (CYP-independent) and dapsone-hydroxylamine (CYP2C9\/CYP2C19\/CYP3A4). The hydroxylamine metabolite drives the haematological side effects (haemolysis, methaemoglobinaemia). Half-life ~30 hours allows once-daily dosing.<\/p>\n

    Indications & Standard Regimens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \u0395\u03bd\u03b4\u03b5\u03af\u03be\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2<\/th>\n\u03a4\u03c5\u03c0\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03b4\u03cc\u03c3\u03b7 \u03b3\u03b9\u03b1 \u03b5\u03bd\u03ae\u03bb\u03b9\u03ba\u03b5\u03c2<\/th>\n\u0394\u03b9\u03ac\u03c1\u03ba\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Multibacillary leprosy (MB-MDT)<\/strong><\/td>\n100 mg\/day + rifampicin 600 mg monthly + clofazimine 50 mg\/day & 300 mg monthly<\/td>\n12 \u03bc\u03ae\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Paucibacillary leprosy (PB-MDT)<\/strong><\/td>\n100 mg\/day + rifampicin 600 mg monthly + clofazimine 50 mg\/day & 300 mg monthly (WHO 2018 update)<\/td>\n6 \u03bc\u03ae\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Dermatitis herpetiformis<\/strong><\/td>\n50 mg\/day starter, titrate up by 25-50 mg every 1-2 weeks; usual maintenance 50-200 mg\/day; max 300 mg\/day<\/td>\nYears (alongside gluten-free diet, which is the curative therapy)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    PCP prophylaxis (HIV \/ immunocompromised)<\/strong><\/td>\n100 mg\/day OR 50 mg twice daily (second-line after co-trimoxazole)<\/td>\nUntil CD4 count >200 for 3+ months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Hidradenitis suppurativa (off-label)<\/strong><\/td>\n50-200 mg\/day<\/td>\n3-12 months trial<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Severe acne fulminans (off-label)<\/strong><\/td>\n50-150 mg\/day, usually combined with oral steroid taper<\/td>\nWeeks to months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Bullous pemphigoid, pyoderma gangrenosum, leucocytoclastic vasculitis (off-label)<\/strong><\/td>\n50-200 mg\/day, often with steroid<\/td>\nMonths<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Take with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset. Once-daily dosing is standard.<\/p>\n

    CRITICAL: Pre-Treatment Screening<\/h2>\n
    \n⚠️ G6PD deficiency screening before first dose.<\/strong> All patients should be tested for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency<\/strong> before starting dapsone. G6PD-deficient patients exposed to dapsone develop severe oxidative haemolysis<\/strong> — potentially life-threatening, particularly in patients with the African (A−) variant, Mediterranean variant, or Canton variant. G6PD deficiency affects approximately 4.9% of the global population, with regional prevalence up to 35% in some Mediterranean, African, and Asian populations.\n<\/div>\n

    Mandatory baseline tests before starting dapsone:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Quantitative or qualitative G6PD assay<\/li>\n
    • Full blood count (FBC)<\/li>\n
    • Reticulocyte count<\/li>\n
    • Methaemoglobin level (if available)<\/li>\n
    • Liver function tests (LFTs)<\/li>\n
    • \u039d\u03b5\u03c6\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u03af\u03b1 (\u03ba\u03c1\u03b5\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd\u03af\u03bd\u03b7, eGFR)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Monitoring during treatment:<\/strong> FBC and reticulocytes weekly for the first month, then monthly for 6 months, then quarterly. LFTs monthly for 3 months then quarterly. Methaemoglobin if cyanosis or breathlessness develops.<\/p>\n

      \u03a0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b5\u03bd\u03ad\u03c1\u03b3\u03b5\u03b9\u03b5\u03c2<\/h2>\n

      Common (1 in 10 or more):<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Mild dose-dependent haemolysis<\/strong> (some haemoglobin drop is expected even in G6PD-normal patients; usually 1-2 g\/dL)<\/li>\n
      • Methaemoglobinaemia<\/strong> — usually subclinical; clinical features (cyanosis, breathlessness, headache) at levels >15-20%<\/li>\n
      • Nausea, abdominal discomfort, anorexia<\/li>\n
      • \u039a\u03b5\u03c6\u03b1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bb\u03b3\u03af\u03b1, \u03b6\u03ac\u03bb\u03b7<\/li>\n
      • \u0391\u03cb\u03c0\u03bd\u03af\u03b1<\/li>\n
      • Mild rash<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \u039b\u03b9\u03b3\u03cc\u03c4\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf \u03c3\u03c5\u03c7\u03bd\u03ad\u03c2 \u03b1\u03bb\u03bb\u03ac \u03c3\u03bf\u03b2\u03b1\u03c1\u03ad\u03c2:<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS)<\/strong> \u2014 \u03b4\u03b5\u03af\u03c4\u03b5 \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u03c7\u03b7 \u03b5\u03bd\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b1 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03ac\u03c4\u03c9<\/li>\n
        • Severe haemolysis<\/strong> in undiagnosed G6PD deficiency — can be fatal<\/li>\n
        • Agranulocytosis<\/strong> — rare but life-threatening; typically in the first 3 months<\/li>\n
        • Aplastic anaemia, thrombocytopenia<\/li>\n
        • Peripheral neuropathy (motor or sensory; often partly reversible)<\/li>\n
        • Hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice<\/li>\n
        • Toxic psychosis, depression<\/li>\n
        • Stevens-Johnson syndrome \/ toxic epidermal necrolysis (rare but reported)<\/li>\n
        • “Dapsone lung” — eosinophilic pneumonitis (rare)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS)<\/h2>\n

          DHS is the most feared complication of dapsone therapy.<\/strong> It is a delayed (DRESS-like) hypersensitivity reaction occurring in 0.5-3% of dapsone users, typically 2-8 weeks after starting<\/strong>. Mortality is approximately 10% if not recognised and treated promptly.<\/p>\n

          Classical triad:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • \u03a0\u03c5\u03c1\u03b5\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2<\/strong> (often the first sign)<\/li>\n
          • Skin rash<\/strong> — morbilliform, urticarial, exfoliative, or full SJS\/TEN spectrum<\/li>\n
          • Internal organ involvement<\/strong> — lymphadenopathy, hepatitis (often the leading cause of death), interstitial nephritis, eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytosis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Genetic risk:<\/strong> the HLA-B*13:01<\/em> allele dramatically increases DHS risk. Pre-treatment HLA-B*13:01 screening is now recommended for patients of Asian (especially Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Thai) ancestry where the allele frequency is 5-15%. Allele-positive patients should not receive dapsone.<\/p>\n

            Recognition and management:<\/strong> any new fever or rash in the first 8 weeks of dapsone therapy should be considered DHS until proven otherwise. Stop dapsone immediately<\/strong>, take FBC + LFTs urgently, refer to emergency care. Treatment: high-dose systemic corticosteroids, supportive care, monitor for liver failure.<\/p>\n

            Contraindications and Warnings<\/h2>\n
              \n
            • Documented G6PD deficiency<\/strong> (or untested in high-prevalence populations) — absolute contraindication unless benefit demonstrably outweighs risk under specialist supervision<\/li>\n
            • HLA-B*13:01 positive patients<\/strong> (where tested)<\/li>\n
            • Hypersensitivity to dapsone or sulphonamides<\/li>\n
            • Severe anaemia<\/li>\n
            • Severe cardiopulmonary disease (poor tolerance of methaemoglobinaemia)<\/li>\n
            • Significant hepatic impairment<\/li>\n
            • Porphyria<\/li>\n
            • Hypersensitivity to dapsone metabolites or to sulphonamides (cross-reactivity rare but reported)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              \u0395\u03b3\u03ba\u03c5\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7:<\/strong> dapsone has been used in pregnancy for leprosy and dermatitis herpetiformis without evidence of major teratogenicity. Foetal haemolysis is possible if the foetus is G6PD-deficient. Use only if benefit clearly outweighs risk and with specialist obstetric and dermatology \/ infectious-disease input.<\/p>\n

              \u0398\u03b7\u03bb\u03b1\u03c3\u03bc\u03cc\u03c2:<\/strong> dapsone is excreted in breast milk; risk of haemolysis in G6PD-deficient infants. Specialist advice required.<\/p>\n

              \u0391\u03bb\u03bb\u03b7\u03bb\u03b5\u03c0\u03b9\u03b4\u03c1\u03ac\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03a6\u03b1\u03c1\u03bc\u03ac\u03ba\u03c9\u03bd<\/h2>\n