Dapsone

Dapsone is a synthetic sulfone medication used against leprosy, dermatitis herpetiformis, and several other infections and inflammatory conditions. It inhibits bacterial folate synthesis and can also suppress neutrophil activity.

Dihydropteroate synthase: A bacterial enzyme that joins para-aminobenzoic acid to a folate precursor during folate synthesis. Dapsone inhibits this enzyme, limiting bacterial production of folate.
Leprosy: A chronic infection caused mainly by Mycobacterium leprae that affects skin and peripheral nerves. Dapsone is used as one component of multidrug therapy for this infection.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: An inherited enzyme deficiency that makes red blood cells vulnerable to oxidative damage. The deficiency increases the risk of hemolysis during dapsone treatment.
Sulfamethoxazole: A sulfonamide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial folate synthesis and is often combined with trimethoprim. It acts on the same pathway as dapsone but belongs to a different drug class.
Folate synthesis: The biochemical pathway by which organisms produce folate, a vitamin needed for nucleotide synthesis. Blocking this pathway explains dapsone’s antimicrobial effect.
Dermatitis herpetiformis: An intensely itchy, blistering skin disease associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Dapsone can rapidly suppress its skin symptoms, though it does not treat the underlying intestinal sensitivity.
Methemoglobinemia: A condition in which oxidized hemoglobin cannot carry oxygen effectively. Dapsone can oxidize hemoglobin and cause this potentially serious adverse effect.
Trimethoprim: An antibiotic that inhibits bacterial dihydrofolate reductase, a later step in folate synthesis. It blocks a different enzyme and is often paired with sulfamethoxazole rather than dapsone.
Neutrophil: A white blood cell that rapidly responds to infection and can drive tissue inflammation. Dapsone’s effects on neutrophil activity help explain its use in inflammatory skin disease.
Pneumocystis pneumonia: A potentially severe lung infection caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii, especially in people with weakened immunity. Dapsone is an alternative medicine for prevention or treatment in selected patients.

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Prurigo pigmentosaRelated: It may be considered when tetracycline treatment is unsuitable or ineffective.