Dapsone (gel)

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on July 27, 2023

Dapsone (DAP sone) is a generic medication prescribed for acne and other skin conditions, such as leprosy. Dapsone belongs to a group of drugs called sulfone antibiotics.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved dapsone to treat:

• acne in adults and certain children
• leprosy, also called Hansen disease, in adults and children
• dermatitis herpetiformis in adults

These approved uses differ based on the form of dapsone your doctor prescribes.

Side effects of dapsone

Dapsone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of dapsone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about dapsone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for dapsone listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of dapsone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of dapsone you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about dapsone’s side effects based on the form, refer to its prescribing information in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Dapsone topical gel’s mild side effects include:

• skin dryness where the gel is applied
• itchy skin where the gel is applied
• mild allergic reaction*

Dapsone oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• digestive side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or pain in your abdomen
• dizziness
• blurred vision
• headache
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for dapsone” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of dapsone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of dapsone you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about dapsone’s side effects based on the form, refer to its prescribing information in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but uncommon. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, dapsone’s serious side effects include:

• blood disorders, such as hemolytic anemia
• peripheral neuropathy (damaged nerves outside your brain and spinal cord)
• kidney conditions, such as acute tubular necrosis
• liver conditions, such as hepatitis
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for dapsone” section.

Uses of dapsone

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as dapsone for certain conditions. Approved uses for dapsone are described below. These uses differ based on the form of dapsone prescribed.

Use for acne

Doctors may prescribe dapsone topical gel for treating acne. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 9 years and older. Dapsone is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With acne, you have pimples (zits) on your skin. Acne occurs when your pores become clogged with dead skin cells, oil, or bacteria.

Symptoms may include:

• pimples on your face, neck, back, shoulders, or chest
• skin redness or discoloration
• swelling and inflammation of the skin
• rough skin texture
• scarred skin

Use for other skin conditions

Doctors may prescribe dapsone oral tablet for treating other skin conditions, including:

• leprosy, also called Hansen disease, in adults and children
• dermatitis herpetiformis in adults

For these uses, dapsone may be prescribed as a long-term or short-term treatment.

With leprosy, you have lesions (sores) on your skin and mucous membranes. It’s caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. Without treatment, leprosy can lead to nerve damage, vision loss, and paralysis. Doctors typically prescribe dapsone with other antibiotics to treat leprosy.

With dermatitis herpetiformis, you have an itchy, blistering skin rash. It’s caused by a reaction to gluten in people with celiac disease.  

Common questions about dapsone

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about dapsone.

How does dapsone work? And how long does it take to start working?

To treat leprosy, dapsone’s mechanism of action (how it works) is by destroying or stopping the growth of Mycobacterium leprae (a type of bacteria that causes leprosy). It isn’t known how exactly dapsone works for treating acne and dermatitis herpetiformis.

How long dapsone takes to work depends on the condition being treated:

• Acne: It may take up to 3 months of using dapsone topical gel to treat acne. If the drug isn’t helping after 3 months of use, talk with your doctor about other treatment options. 
• Leprosy: It may take 3–6 months of treatment to determine whether dapsone oral tablet is working effectively against the bacteria that causes leprosy. Doctors typically prescribe dapsone with other antibiotics to treat leprosy. Treatment may last 1–2 years or longer.
• Dermatitis herpetiformis: Dapsone oral tablet works quickly to ease itchiness, but it may take longer to clear the skin rash. Following a gluten-free diet might reduce your need to take dapsone or shorten the length of treatment.

If you have questions about what to expect during dapsone treatment, talk with your doctor. For details about the conditions dapsone is approved to treat, see the “Uses of dapsone” section.

Is dapsone a steroid?

No, dapsone isn’t a steroid. Dapsone belongs to a group of drugs called sulfone antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria or stop them from growing. Steroid drugs don’t kill bacteria. They’re used to lower inflammation (swelling) and irritation.

If you have questions about steroids and dapsone, talk with your doctor.

Can dapsone cause long-term side effects?

No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with dapsone. In studies,* specific side effects weren’t seen in people who’d taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with dapsone.

*For details about dapsone’s studies, see its prescribing information in the “Resources” section.

Interactions and warnings for dapsone

Below, you’ll find information about dapsone’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of dapsone

Certain factors may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take or use dapsone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for dapsone” section below.

Warnings for dapsone

Some people should not take dapsone and others should use it cautiously.

Dapsone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether dapsone is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of dapsone you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for dapsone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Dapsone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to dapsone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe dapsone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to dapsone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of dapsone

If you take dapsone tablet by mouth or apply dapsone gel, you should not take or apply more than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken or used too much dapsone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and dapsone

Information about dapsone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Dapsone and pregnancy

It’s unknown whether dapsone topical gel should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication. They may suggest other ways to manage acne during this time.

There may be risks with taking dapsone oral tablet during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated leprosy while pregnant. (Keep in mind that dapsone oral tablet is used for treating leprosy and other skin conditions. For details, see the “Uses of dapsone” section.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take dapsone during pregnancy.

Dapsone and breastfeeding

It’s unknown whether dapsone topical gel should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

There may be risks with taking dapsone oral tablet while breastfeeding. But there are also risks with having untreated leprosy during this time. (Keep in mind that dapsone oral tablet is used for treating leprosy and other skin conditions. For details, see the “Uses of dapsone” section.)

For instance, dapsone oral tablet may cause blood disorders, such as hemolytic anemia, in a child who’s breastfed. (Dapsone can cause blood disorders as a side effect. For more information, see the “Side effects of dapsone” section.)

If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about leprosy treatment options. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take dapsone during this time. Your doctor may recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know whether you have questions about dapsone or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long will I need to have dapsone treatment?
• Do I have a high risk of side effects of dapsone?
• Will I need any blood work or monitoring tests while taking dapsone oral tablet?
• Can I use skin care products while using dapsone topical gel?

Resources

• Dapsone — dapsone tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/3fa58b58-f588-4a0e-9e49-0f687bc294c9/spl-doc
• Dapsone gel, for topical use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/fba0b181-077a-4667-bde1-cf9592f120c2/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Hansen’s disease (leprosy). (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/leprosy/index.html 

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.