dapsone

This medication is used to treat acne. It helps decrease the number and severity of acne pimples and helps pimples that do develop to heal more quickly. Dapsone is an antibiotic. It is not known how dapsone works to treat acne.

If you forget to use this medication, use it as soon as you remember if you remember the same day. If you don't remember until the next day, wait until your next dose is scheduled.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Wash your hands before and after applying this medication. Gently clean the affected skin with a mild/soapless cleanser and pat dry. Apply a small amount of medication (about the size of a pea) in a thin layer to the areas of skin affected by acne, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. Rub in gently. Be careful to avoid the eyes and lip area. Use this medication on the skin only. Do not apply to the inside of the mouth/nose or in or around the groin/vaginal area. Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this occurs, flush with large amounts of water. Call your doctor if eye irritation develops. Wash your hands after using the medication to avoid accidentally getting it in your eyes. Use this product regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Do not use a larger amount or use it more frequently than recommended. Your skin will not improve any faster, but your risk of side effects will increase. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after 12 weeks.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: dapsone taken by mouth, drugs to treat malaria (such as chloroquine), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, other medications applied to the skin. Benzoyl peroxide is a commonly used medication for acne. Using benzoyl peroxide at the same time as dapsone gel may cause your skin to temporarily change color (yellow/orange). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist and ask if you should be using prescription or non-prescription benzoyl peroxide products and how to use them safely. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others. Some cosmetics and soaps may worsen your acne. Moisturizers may be safe to use. When buying cosmetics, moisturizers, or other skin care products, check the label for "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic." These products are unlikely to worsen your acne. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which products are safe to use. Remember, acne is not caused by dirt. Cleaning your skin too often or too vigorously can irritate your skin and worsen acne.

This medication may be harmful if swallowed. If overdose or swallowing is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to dapsone; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: a certain enzyme deficiency (G6PD deficiency). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Dapsone passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store with the cap tightly closed at room temperature at 68-76 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not freeze. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Skin redness, peeling, oiliness, or dryness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (such as depression, agitation), unusual tiredness/weakness with normal activity, dark urine. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.