Dapsone
Dapsone, a sulfone antibacterial for dermatitis herpetiformis and leprosy, comes here as bottles of 1000 capsules; Aczone is the other dapsone listing.
Details
- Conditions
- Dermatitis herpetiformis · Leprosy
- Therapeutic Class
- Sulfone antibacterial
- Pharmacological Class
- Sulfone
- Minor Side Effects
- Nausea, Loss of appetite
- Moderate Side Effects
- Skin rash, Dizziness, Headache
- Administration Route
- Oral
- Originator
- GSK
- Storage Instructions
- Store at room temperature, protected from light.
- Drug Interactions
- Trimethoprim, Rifampin
What you will receive
Dapsone is a generic medicine sold under the name of its active ingredient, Dapsone.
- The manufacturer depends on what is in stock when your order ships.
- It contains the same active ingredient, at the same strength, as the brand-name versions.
FAQ
Which pack sizes of Dapsone can I order?
Dapsone is listed in bottles, in packs of 1, 2 or 3 bottles. Larger packs cost less per bottle.
How discreet is delivery of Dapsone to Hong Kong?
Every order of Dapsone ships in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing on the outside about the contents. If a parcel does not arrive within the delivery window, or arrives damaged, it is sent again free; if that is not possible, the order is refunded.
Is dapsone a steroid?
No. Dapsone is a sulfone antibacterial, not a steroid and not a painkiller. In dermatitis herpetiformis its value comes from calming the neutrophils that drive the rash, while in leprosy the antibacterial action matters.
What is the difference between dapsone and Aczone?
Both contain dapsone. Aczone is sold under a brand name, while this listing goes by the ingredient name and comes in bottles of 1000 capsules. The two sit in the same skin care category and are both used for dermatitis herpetiformis and leprosy.
How long is dapsone taken for?
In dermatitis herpetiformis it is often taken for months or years. Dapsone controls the rash rather than curing the underlying condition, so the itching and blisters tend to return when it is stopped unless a gluten-free diet is keeping things quiet.
Can dapsone make you anaemic?
Yes - dapsone can break down red blood cells faster than the body replaces them, so a falling red cell count is a known effect of treatment. Feeling flat and breathless on stairs, looking pale, or a heartbeat that feels faster than usual are the kinds of signs that go with it.
About Dapsone
What dapsone does
Dapsone is a sulfone antibacterial taken by mouth as a capsule, and the shop lists it in bottles of 1000 capsules. It works in two directions. It blocks the folic acid that susceptible bacteria need in order to multiply, the action that counts in leprosy, and it calms neutrophils, the white blood cells that keep inflamed skin red and itchy. That second effect is why it is used in dermatitis herpetiformis, a blistering, fiercely itchy rash that runs alongside coeliac disease, an intolerance to gluten in wheat, rye and barley. Dapsone is the standard treatment for getting that rash under control.
Taking dapsone capsules
Most courses are one capsule a day. Water is enough to swallow it, and if your stomach complains, take it with food or milk. Sunlight can sting more than usual while you are taking dapsone, so cover up, wear a hat and use sunscreen if you are outdoors for long stretches. Keep the bottle tightly closed and away from heat and damp.
Side effects to expect
An upset stomach, vomiting and loss of appetite are the complaints that come up most often, and taking the capsule with food usually settles them. Headache and dizziness turn up too. The effects that matter more are on the blood. Dapsone can break down red blood cells, and it can leave haemoglobin less able to carry oxygen, which may show as tiredness, breathlessness or a bluish tinge to the lips. Unexplained bruising or bleeding, or a feverish rash, needs urgent treatment. Dapsone is not used by people with G6PD deficiency, an inherited shortage of an enzyme that protects red blood cells, or by anyone who has reacted badly to a sulfone before. Trimethoprim, a common antibiotic for urine infections, adds to the blood effects, while rifampicin clears dapsone from the body faster. Blood counts are usually checked during a course.
The other dapsone listing
The shop's second dapsone product is Aczone, the same medicine sold under a brand name rather than the ingredient name. Both sit in the skin care category.
Sources
- Dapsone: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / National Library of Medicine
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis: Features, Diagnosis, and Treatment — DermNet