Dapsone information
An antibiotic used for the treatment of leprosy and malaria. It is given in combination with pyrimethamine to prevent travellers contracting malaria. It is also used for treating dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy blistering rash). A prescription only medicine, dapsone is available as tablets or an injection.
Side effects: include blood disorders, rashes, gastrointestinal upset, headache, and psychiatric disturbances.
Precautions: dapsone should be used only under specialist supervision and should not be taken by people with severe anaemia or porphyria. It should be used with caution in women who are breastfeeding, and folate supplements should be taken during pregnancy.
Interactions with other drugs:
Probenecid: increases the risk of side effects of dapsone.
Rifampicin: reduces plasma concentrations of dapsone.
Proprietary preparation: MALOPRIM (combined with pyrimethamine).