What is this medication for?

Dapsone is an antibiotic which also has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat a variety of skin conditions.

How should I take/use this medication?

• Take each dose with a full glass of water.

• This medication should be taken with or after food.

• It is important to take dapsone regularly to get the most benefit.

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or sulfonamides.

• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

• You have heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease; blood disorders; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

Certain side effects of this medication are not unusual and may even disappear during treatment. If any of the following effects persist or are severe, consult your doctor.

• Stomach pain

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Headache

The most common main side effect of this medication is haemolytic anemia. Your doctor will do regular monitoring of your blood counts.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue

• Difficulty in breathing

• Itchy skin rashes on your body

• Rashes (developing during the first two to eight weeks after starting the medication) with fever

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

The occurrence of some serious side-effects can range from common to rare. Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the following:

• Tingling of the hands or feet

• Dizziness

• Incoordination

• Muscle weakness

• Blurred vision

• Ringing in the ears

• Fever, sore throat, mouth sores

• Pale skin

• Unusual tiredness

• Rapid heartbeat

• Bluish skin color

• Dark urine or light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?

Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications such as pyrimethamine, supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimers

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on March 2021