Dapsone
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Dapsone is a sulfone antibiotic with potent anti-inflammatory properties used both systemically and topically in dermatology. Oral dapsone is the treatment of choice for dermatitis herpetiformis and is used for leprosy, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, and other neutrophilic dermatoses. Topical dapsone 5-7.5% gel (Aczone) is used for inflammatory acne vulgaris. Its unique anti-neutrophilic mechanism makes it valuable for conditions driven by neutrophilic inflammation.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Dapsone is a sulfone antibiotic with potent anti-inflammatory properties used both systemically and topically in dermatology. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Oral: 50-100 mg/day for dermatitis herpetiformis; 100 mg/day for leprosy. Topical (Aczone): apply thin layer to affected areas once or twice daily (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: treatment of choice for dermatitis herpetiformis, effective for multiple neutrophilic dermatoses, anti-inflammatory acne treatment (topical gel). 10 sources indexed (2018–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Exerts antimicrobial activity through inhibition of dihydropteroate synthase (folate synthesis), similar to sulfonamides. Its anti-inflammatory effects are mediated through inhibition of neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO), suppression of neutrophil chemotaxis, and inhibition of the alternative complement pathway and leukotriene-mediated tissue damage. These anti-inflammatory properties account for its efficacy in dermatitis herpetiformis and other neutrophilic dermatoses.5
Dosing & protocol.
Oral bioavailability >85%; food slightly delays absorption but does not affect overall bioavailability. Take with food to minimize GI upset. Topical formulation has minimal systemic absorption.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Hemolytic anemia (dose-dependent; worse in G6PD-deficient patients)
- Methemoglobinemia
- Peripheral neuropathy (with chronic use)
- Agranulocytosis (rare but serious)
- Hepatitis
- Dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (fever, rash, eosinophilia, hepatitis, potentially fatal)
- GI upset (nausea, anorexia)
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
6- 1Efficacy and safety of dapsone in adult immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDKhan I, Qasim SA, Rath S et al. · European journal of medical research · 2025
Khan I, Qasim SA, Rath S et al.. Efficacy and safety of dapsone in adult immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European journal of medical research. 2025
- 2Efficacy and safety of dapsone gel for acne: a systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDWang X, Wang Z, Sun L et al. · Annals of palliative medicine · 2022
Wang X, Wang Z, Sun L et al.. Efficacy and safety of dapsone gel for acne: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of palliative medicine. 2022
- 3Dapsone in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic ReviewPMIDRabindranathnambi A, Jeevankumar B · Dermatology and therapy · 2022
Rabindranathnambi A, Jeevankumar B. Dapsone in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review. Dermatology and therapy. 2022
- 4Topical dapsone in the treatment of acne: a systematic reviewPMIDNickles MA, Lake E · International journal of dermatology · 2022
Nickles MA, Lake E. Topical dapsone in the treatment of acne: a systematic review. International journal of dermatology. 2022
- 5Risk factors for dapsone resistance in leprosy patients: a systematic meta-analysisPMIDWu Z, Wang C, Wang Z et al. · Journal of global antimicrobial resistance · 2022
Wu Z, Wang C, Wang Z et al.. Risk factors for dapsone resistance in leprosy patients: a systematic meta-analysis. Journal of global antimicrobial resistance. 2022
- 6Association Between HLA-B*1301 and Dapsone-Induced Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisPMIDTangamornsuksan W, Lohitnavy M · JAMA dermatology · 2018
Tangamornsuksan W, Lohitnavy M. Association Between HLA-B*1301 and Dapsone-Induced Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA dermatology. 2018
Reviews & position papers
1- 7Efficacy and Safety of Topical Dapsone in Dermatology: A Scoping Review of Clinical StudiesPMIDAbtahi-Naeini B, Sattari H, Afshar K et al. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025
Abtahi-Naeini B, Sattari H, Afshar K et al.. Efficacy and Safety of Topical Dapsone in Dermatology: A Scoping Review of Clinical Studies. Journal of cosmetic dermatology. 2025
Reference material
3- 8Zhu YI, Stiller MJ. Dapsone and sulfones in dermatology: overview and update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;45(3):420-434.Source linkedPMID
- 9Draelos ZD et al. Two randomized studies demonstrate the efficacy and safety of dapsone gel, 5% for the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(3):439.e1-439.e10.Source linkedPMID
- 10Coleman MD. Dapsone: modes of action, toxicity and possible strategies for increasing patient tolerance. Br J Dermatol. 1993;129(5):507-513.Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Dapsone, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Dapsone?
Dapsone is a sulfone antibiotic with potent anti-inflammatory properties used both systemically and topically in dermatology. Oral dapsone is the treatment of choice for dermatitis herpetiformis and is used for leprosy, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, and other neutrophilic dermatoses. Topical dapsone 5-7.5% gel (Aczone) is used for inflammatory acne vulgaris. Its unique anti-neutrophilic mechanism makes it valuable for conditions driven by neutrophilic inflammation.
What is Dapsone used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Dapsone include: Treatment of choice for dermatitis herpetiformis; Effective for multiple neutrophilic dermatoses; Anti-inflammatory acne treatment (topical gel); Component of multidrug therapy for leprosy. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Dapsone?
A typical adult dose of Dapsone is Oral: 50-100 mg/day for dermatitis herpetiformis; 100 mg/day for leprosy. Topical (Aczone): apply thin layer to affected areas once or twice daily (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Oral tablets for systemic dermatologic conditions; topical 5% or 7.5% gel (Aczone) for acne. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Dapsone?
Reported side effects include hemolytic anemia (dose-dependent; worse in g6pd-deficient patients), methemoglobinemia, peripheral neuropathy (with chronic use), agranulocytosis (rare but serious), hepatitis, dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (fever, rash, eosinophilia, hepatitis, potentially fatal). This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Dapsone?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Dapsone in NutriStack.
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