Dapsone

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
	Dapsone

Dapsone - What is it for

Dapsone is an antibiotic which also has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat a variety of skin conditions.

Dapsone - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Dapsone cause?

Certain side effects of this medication are not unusual and may even disappear during treatment. If any of the following effects persist or are severe, consult your doctor.

Stomach pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache

The most common main side effect of this medication is haemolytic anemia. Your doctor will do regular monitoring of your blood counts.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes on your body
Rashes (developing during the first two to eight weeks after starting the medication) with fever

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

The occurrence of some serious side-effects can range from common to rare. Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the following:

Tingling of the hands or feet
Dizziness
Incoordination
Muscle weakness
Blurred vision
Ringing in the ears
Fever, sore throat, mouth sores
Pale skin
Unusual tiredness
Rapid heartbeat
Bluish skin color
Dark urine or light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin

Before taking Dapsone , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or sulfonamides.
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
You have heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease; blood disorders; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Dapsone ?

Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications such as pyrimethamine, supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

Dapsone - Dosage and How to Use

How should Dapsone be used?

Take each dose with a full glass of water.
This medication should be taken with or after food.
It is important to take dapsone regularly to get the most benefit.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.