Dapsone
Why this is used
Dapsone is used to treat leprosy and skin infections. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How to take it
Dapsone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Dapsone usually is taken either once a day or three times a week. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dapsone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Side effects
<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Dapsone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
<ul>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
sore throat</li>
<li>
fever</li>
<li>
rash</li>
<li>
yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
<li>
unusual bruising</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
<ul>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
sore throat</li>
<li>
fever</li>
<li>
rash</li>
<li>
yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
<li>
unusual bruising</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
Precautions
Before taking dapsone, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dapsone, sulfa drugs, phenylhydrazine, naphthalene, niridazole, nitrofurantoin, primaquine, or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aminobenzoate potassium (Potaba), aminobenzoic acid, clofazimine (Lamprene), didanosine (Videx), probenecid (Benemid), pyrimethamine (Daraprim), rifampin (Rifadin), trimethoprim (Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra), or vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anemia or liver disease. plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Dapsone may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Educational reference only — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber about Dapsone.