Dapsone, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: sulfone antibiotic

Generic and brand names: dapsone, oral

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat various types of leprosy and to control a skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• blood disorders such as anemia, G6PD, or hemoglobin M
• liver disease.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider for the length of time prescribed, even if you feel better. If you have leprosy, you may have to take this medicine for a long time.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If dermatitis herpetiformis does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse, contact your healthcare provider.

If symptoms of leprosy do not improve in 2 to 3 months, contact your healthcare provider.

This medicine may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Yellowing of skin or eyes; stomach pain; fever; loss of appetite; pale skin; rash; muscle weakness; tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands or feet; fast heart rate; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness; bluish lips, fingernails or skin.

Other: Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, trouble sleeping, sensitivity to the sun.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• anti-HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), amprenavir (Agenerase), zidovudine (Retrovir, Combivir), and stavudine (Zerit)
• antibiotics such as rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), trimethoprim (Primsol, Trimpex) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)
• didanosine (Videx)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
• para-aminobenzoic acid (Potaba)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• pyrimethamine (Daraprim).

The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.