Introduction

Dapgel belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-leprotic medicines. It is used to treat leprosy and acne. It works by stopping the growth of disease causing organisms in the body. It also helps to reduce redness and swelling associated with acne (commonly known as pimples). Dapgel should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. It should be taken with or without food, preferably at a fixed time. Avoid skipping any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Simply take the next dose as planned. Some people may develop a skin rash, and fever as the side effects of this medicine. Please consult your doctor if these side effects bother you or persist for a longer duration. Use caution while treating patients with hypersensitivity to sulfa drugs.

Uses of Dapgel

Leprosy

Side effects of Dapgel

Common

Rash
Fever

How to use Dapgel

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Dapgel may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Dapgel works

Dapgel is an anti-leprotic medication. It works by stopping the production of folic acid in certain bacteria, thereby stopping them from growing.

Quick Tips

When used long term, your doctor may monitor amount of blood cells in your blood regularly.

Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or you get eye or nerve problems.

Brief Description

Indication

Pneumonia, Acne, Leprosy, Dermatitis herpetiformis

Adult Dose

Dermatitis Herpetiformis 50 mg PO qDay, titrate to 300 mg qDay or higher to achieve desired effect Reduce dose to minimum effective dose within the range of 50-300 mg qDay as soon as possible Leprosy 100 mg PO qDay, in combination with other antileprosy drugs Tuberculoid or Lepromatous Disease 100 mg PO qDay with rifampin 600 mg PO qDay

Child Dose

Child: PO 2 mg/kg, max 100 mg q24h 4 mg/kg, max 200 mg Once weekly

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity. Severe anaemia, porphyria.

Mode of Action

Dapsone inhibits folic acid synthesis by preventing normal bacterial utilization of PABA (PABA).

Precaution

G6PD deficiency, methaemoglobin or Hb M. Perform regular blood counts and monitor liver function regularly. Pregnancy and lactation. Lactation: Enters breast milk; not recommended (AAP Committee states "compatible with nursing")

Side Effect

1-10% Hemolysis,Methemoglobinemia <1% Reactional states (ie, abrupt changes in clinical activity occurring during any leprosy treatment; classified as reversal of erythema nodosum leprosum reactions),Insomnia,Headache,Exfoliative dermatitis,Photosensitivity,Nausea,Vomiting,Anemia,Leukopenia,Agranulocytosis,Hepatitis,Cholestatic jaundice,Peripheral neuropathy (usually in nonleprosy patients),Blurred vision,Tinnitus,SLE Potentially Fatal: Agranulocytosis, serious cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, exfoliative dermatitis.

Pregnancy Category Note

Pregnancy category: C Lactation: Enters breast milk; not recommended (AAP Committee states "compatible with nursing")

Interaction

Decreased serum conc of dapsone when used with rifampicin. Increased plasma conc with probenecid, trimethoprim. Antagonize clofazimine.