dapsone

Last reviewed 01/2018

Indications for using dapsone include:

  • leprosy
  • dermatitis herpetiformis

Cautions should be exercised if the patient has:

  • anaemia
  • G6PD deficiency - including breast feeding of affected children
  • cardiac or pulmonary disease
  • pregnancy

Contra-indications to dapsone are:

  • avoid in porphyria

Side-effects of dapsone include:

  • neuropathy
  • headache
  • insomnia
  • tachycardia
  • anaemia
  • hepatitis
  • allergic dermatitis
  • nausea, vomiting and anorexia
  • agranulocytosis

N.B.: All side-effects are dose related and uncommon with the doses used to treat leprosy.

Routes of administration include:

  • oral, via tablets

The summary of product characteristics should be consulted before prescribing this drug.