Dapsone prescription: what you need to know

Dapsone is an older but still useful medicine. Doctors prescribe it for conditions like dermatitis herpetiformis, some types of leprosy, certain autoimmune skin disorders, and as a preventive option for Pneumocystis pneumonia in specific patients. There’s also a topical form used for acne. If you’re seeing or hearing the name for the first time, here’s a practical look at how it’s used, how to take it safely, and what to watch for.

How it’s taken and common doses

Oral dapsone usually comes in 25 mg or 100 mg tablets. Typical adult doses range from 50 mg to 100 mg once daily, depending on the condition. For some skin diseases doctors start low and adjust the dose. Topical dapsone gels are applied once or twice daily for acne. Never change the dose on your own—your doctor will pick a dose based on your disease, weight, and other meds.

Take oral dapsone with food if it upsets your stomach. Missing a dose? Take it when you remember unless it’s almost time for the next dose—don’t double up. If you stop dapsone suddenly, tell your provider; some conditions need a careful plan to stop the drug safely.

Safety checks, monitoring, and major risks

Before starting dapsone, your clinician should check for G6PD deficiency. People with G6PD deficiency can have severe hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown) when they take dapsone. Your doctor will also order a baseline complete blood count (CBC), liver tests, and often a pregnancy test for people who could be pregnant.

Common side effects include mild nausea, headache, and skin rash. Two serious but less common problems are hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia. Watch for unusual tiredness, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes, bluish skin or lips, or shortness of breath. If those occur, stop the drug and seek care immediately.

Monitoring usually means repeat CBC and liver tests within the first few weeks and periodically after that. If you’re on long-term dapsone, your doctor may check labs every 1–3 months depending on your risk factors and how stable your results are.

Drug interactions matter. Combining dapsone with other oxidizing drugs or strong CYP enzyme inducers can change its effects and raise the risk of side effects. Tell your provider about all meds, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

Buying dapsone online? Use only licensed pharmacies that require a valid prescription. Scammers sell fake or unsafe meds. If a site offers dapsone without a prescription or at suspiciously low prices, avoid it. Always confirm dosing and monitoring plans with your prescribing clinician.

Want to know if dapsone suits you? Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They’ll review your health history, run the necessary tests, and set a safe monitoring plan so dapsone can help while keeping risks low.