Dapsone (Avlosulfan)

Category:

  • Miscellaneous

Description:

  • Antiprotazoal

Indications:

  • All forms of leprosy (Hansen’s disease), except for cases of proven dapsone resistance

  • Dermatitis herpetiformis

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category C; excreted in breast milk, may cause reaction in infants

  • Renal disease, G-6-PD deficiency

  • Anemia, severe cardiopulmonary disease, methemoglobin reductase deficiency

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: headache, insomnia, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, psychosis, vertigo

  • EENT: blurred vision, optic neuritis, photophobia, tinnitus

  • GI: abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting

  • GU: nephrotic syndrome, proteinuria, renal papillary necrosis

  • HEME: agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia

  • SKIN: drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosis, photosensitivity

Dosage:

Administered orally

  • Adult:            

    • Leprosy: PO 50-100mg daily for 3-10 years (addition of rifampin 600mg daily for 1st 6 months is recommended)

    • Dermatitis herpetiformis: PO 50mg initially; increase to 300mg daily or higher to achieve full control; reduce dosage to minimum level as soon as possible

  • Child:            

    • Leprosy: PO 1-2 mg/kg/day; max 100mg daily

Special considerations:

  • Use in conjunction with rifampin or clofazimine to prevent development of drug resistance and reduce infectiousness of patient with leprosy more quickly

  • Full therapeutic effects on leprosy may not occur for several months; compliance with dosage schedule, duration is important

 

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300   

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright 2004
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