Dapsone Rx
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FDA-approved drug

Dapsone is one molecule living two lives, about one hundred times apart

The same sulfone is a monitored systemic drug and a gentle acne gel, and the crossover study measured the distance between those lives: a day of maximal gel use put 415 ng.h/mL of dapsone into the blood; one 100 mg tablet put in 52,641. On the oral side sit dermatitis herpetiformis and leprosy, a blood-count calendar, and hemolysis in almost all patients. On the topical side sit acne trials of 7,300-plus patients with side effects nearly identical to the vehicle gel, honestly modest results (about 30% clear-or-minimal skin versus 21% on vehicle), and a label that dropped its G6PD testing requirement in 2008 when route-specific data arrived. Every study row below is labeled by species and by route, so neither life borrows the other's story.

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  • 26studies and evidence sources in our graded table
  • 24of them human evidence, species-labeled row by row
  • 11topical-route human rows and 11 oral-route human rows, plus the one crossover study that measured both routes at once
  • 44fetch-verified citations, 100.0% peer-reviewed or government sources

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Key facts

  • StatusFDA-approved drug
  • Topical Cmax (7.5%, steady state)13.0 ng/mLsource
  • Topical AUC(0-24) (7.5%)282 ng.h/mLsource
  • Topical AUC(0-24) (5% BID, day 14)415 ng.h/mLsource
  • Oral AUC (single 100 mg)52,641 ng.h/mLsource
  • Oral vs topical exposureAbout 100x (label: gel is about 1% of oral)source
  • Oral Tmax4 to 8 hourssource
  • Topical steady stateReached within 7 dayssource
  • Oral urinary recoveryAbout 85% of daily intake (as metabolites)source
  • ClassSulfone (4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, DDS); antimicrobial plus anti-inflammatoryChemical referencesource
  • Molecular weight248.30 Da (C12H12N2O2S)Chemical referencesource
  • Route divideGel exposure is about 1% of a 100 mg oral dose (AUC 282 to 415 vs 52,641 ng.h/mL)Human PKsource
  • Oral half-life10 to 50 hours, average 28Human PKsource
  • Oral hemolysisDose-related, near-universal: 1 to 2 g hemoglobin loss in almost all patientsRegulatory recordsource
  • Hypersensitivity syndrome1.4% of oral-treated patients; 9.9% fatality when it occursSystematic reviewsource
  • G6PD testingOral: caution and monitoring. Topical: not required (screening requirement removed from the label in 2008)Regulatory recordsource
  • Study rows on this site26 (24 human, 1 in vitro, 1 animal), every row species- and route-labeledInternal measurementsource
  • Verified citations44 (100.0% peer-reviewed or government)Internal measurementsource

Read the full Dapsone monograph

Browse by topic

Everything on Dapsone for skin, organized the way you research it.

Safety17 articlesEvidence12 articlesSourcing8 articlesDosing8 articlesComparisons5 articles

Free Dapsone tools

Practical calculators and references, each scoped and sourced.

Review-gated tools: these tools are excluded from search and AI citation and must not be used as medication, monitoring, or treatment instruction.

T-01Dapsone gel application-quantity guideLabel language first (a pea-sized amount, thin layer), fingertip-unit arithmetic second: grams per application, per day, per week, and how many days a 30, 60 or 90 gram pump or tube actually lasts at once-daily (7.5%) or twice-daily (5%) schedules.T-02Dapsone route-exposure explorerThe compound-unique data component: an interactive comparison of topical and oral exposure built from label pharmacokinetics (13 ng/mL gel peak vs 2,300 ng/mL chronic oral troughs; AUC 282 to 415 vs 52,641 ng.h/mL) with each bar claim-linked, plus the risk-by-route ledger the numbers explain.T-03Dapsone G6PD screening education guideWhat each label actually says about G6PD deficiency, by route and by label era: the oral label's caution-and-monitor stance, the 2005 gel label's screening requirement, the 2008 deletion after the 64-subject crossover trial, and the current no-testing state. With the prevalence context (about 400 million people) and the combination cautions.

All guides

50 in-depth, individually cited guides.

Review-gated archive: the guides below are preserved for individual medical and source review. They are excluded from search indexing and AI citation files.

Safety 17 guides

Dapsone and birth control: does it cause interactions?Topical dapsone (Aczone) doesn't interact with birth control. Oral dapsone has no direct contraceptive interaction either, but pregnancy safety and G6PD testing matter more.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone and pregnancy: what's actually safe to useTopical dapsone (Aczone) is FDA Category C with limited absorption. Oral dapsone in pregnancy needs G6PD screening and specialist monitoring. Here's the real breakdown.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone for beginners: topical vs oral, explained simplyNew to dapsone? Learn what topical Aczone treats, why oral dapsone needs G6PD testing first, and how the two drugs differ in risk.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone in older adults: what changes with age and G6PD riskTopical dapsone (Aczone) is low-risk at any age. Oral dapsone in older adults carries higher hemolysis and hypersensitivity risk. Here's the real breakdown.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone not working? 9 real reasons and what to doDapsone gel takes 8-12 weeks to show real results. Here's why it may seem to fail, from acne type to G6PD issues in oral use, and what actually helps.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone overdose and toxicity: what actually happensOral dapsone overdose can cause methemoglobinemia and hemolysis; doses over 1g are life-threatening. Topical Aczone carries far lower systemic risk. Full breakdown here.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Does dapsone cause a rebound effect after stopping itIs there a real dapsone rebound effect for acne? Here's what the trials on Aczone actually show, plus the oral dapsone risks people confuse with it.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone and athletes: does it show up on drug tests?Topical dapsone (Aczone) is not on WADA's banned list. Oral dapsone is different: it's a sulfone drug with real risks and needs G6PD testing first.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone and blood work: what tests you actually needTopical dapsone needs no blood work. Oral dapsone requires G6PD testing first, plus CBC monitoring. Here's exactly what's checked and when.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone drug interactions: what actually mattersTopical dapsone has minimal interaction risk. Oral dapsone interacts with trimethoprim, rifampin, and more, and needs G6PD testing first. Full breakdown.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone injection sites: what people actually meanThere's no injectable dapsone. Here's what "injection sites" searches usually mean: topical gel spots, oral pills, and G6PD testing before either.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone long term side effects: topical vs oral risksTopical dapsone gel has mild long-term risks. Oral dapsone can cause hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, and DHS. Here's what the data actually shows.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone side effects: topical vs oral risks explainedTopical dapsone (Aczone) mainly causes dryness and mild irritation. Oral dapsone can cause hemolysis and needs G6PD testing first. Here's the real breakdown.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone storage and shelf life: how to store it rightAczone gel is stable at room temp (59-86°F) for its labeled shelf life; oral dapsone tablets typically expire 2-4 years from manufacture. Full storage rules here.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Is dapsone FDA approved? Topical yes, oral use differsTopical dapsone (Aczone 5%/7.5%) is FDA approved for acne since 2005. Oral dapsone is approved too, but for different diseases, with far higher risks.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Is dapsone safe? Topical vs oral risk, explainedTopical dapsone 5%/7.5% is FDA-approved and low-risk. Oral dapsone can cause hemolysis and needs G6PD testing. Here's the real safety breakdown, with sources.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
What does dapsone actually do to your skin and bodyTopical dapsone 5-7.5% treats acne via anti-inflammatory action. Oral dapsone fights infection but needs G6PD testing. Here's the real mechanism, by form.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →

Evidence 12 guides

Dapsone before and after: what the acne evidence showsClinical trials show real but modest acne clearing with topical dapsone. See the actual numbers, photo caveats, and why oral dapsone is a different drug entirely.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
1 closely related:Dapsone before and after: what the acne evidence shows
Dapsone myths vs facts: what the evidence actually showsTopical dapsone (Aczone) is FDA-approved and low-risk. Oral dapsone requires G6PD testing. We separate the real risks from the myths, with sources.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone results timeline: what to expect week by weekTopical dapsone gel needs 8-12 weeks for visible acne results, per FDA trial data. See the real week-by-week timeline, plus why oral dapsone's timeline is a different story entirely.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone reviews: what real users and studies actually showDapsone reviews compared to trial data: topical Aczone clears acne modestly in 12 weeks; oral dapsone needs G6PD testing first. Here's the honest breakdown.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone success rate: what the acne trials actually showTopical dapsone clears acne in about half of users within 12 weeks per FDA trials. Oral dapsone is a different, riskier drug. Full evidence review.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Natural alternatives to dapsone: what the evidence showsLooking for natural alternatives to dapsone for acne? Here's what evidence actually supports, what doesn't, and when topical dapsone is worth trying instead.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone: animal studies vs. human evidence, explainedRat and dog data flagged dapsone risks decades before human trials confirmed them. See what animal studies predicted, what changed, and what matters for you now.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone clinical trials: what the acne and safety data showA review of the actual dapsone trials: topical gel acne results (48.9% vs 43.2% success) and the oral drug's hemolysis and G6PD risks explained.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone human studies: what the acne and safety trials showTopical dapsone gel cut inflammatory acne lesions 48-51% in FDA trials. Oral dapsone works differently and needs G6PD testing. Here's what the human data says.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
How dapsone works: mechanism of action explainedDapsone fights bacteria and calms inflammation through two separate pathways. See how the topical and oral mechanisms differ, and why G6PD testing matters for oral use.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone results for acne: what the research actually showsTopical dapsone gel clears roughly 40-50% of inflammatory acne lesions by week 12. Oral dapsone works differently and needs G6PD testing first. Details inside.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →

Sourcing 8 guides

Dapsone telehealth options: what you can and can't get onlineAczone (topical dapsone) is prescribable via telehealth after a quick visit. Oral dapsone needs G6PD testing and in-person follow-up. Here's the real buyer breakdown.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Where to buy dapsone legally: prescription rules explainedTopical dapsone (Aczone) needs a prescription; there's no legal OTC or online source. Here's how legitimate access actually works, and why oral dapsone is different.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone certificate of analysis, explainedWhat a dapsone certificate of analysis actually verifies, why topical vs. oral dapsone matters, and how G6PD testing fits into a legitimate order.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone: compounding pharmacy vs research supplier, explainedPrescription dapsone from a licensed pharmacy vs 'research chemical' sellers online: only one is legal, tested, and safe. Here's the real difference.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone cost and pricing: what you actually payAczone 5%/7.5% runs $300-$650/tube without insurance; generic gel and coupons can drop it to $30-$90. Here's the real breakdown, including why oral dapsone pricing is a different animal.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone legal status: what's OTC, prescription, or restrictedTopical dapsone (Aczone) is FDA-approved, prescription-only, no G6PD test required. Oral dapsone needs G6PD screening. Here's the real legal breakdown.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone prescription requirements: what you actually needTopical dapsone needs a prescription but no blood test. Oral dapsone requires G6PD screening. Here's what's real, what's a myth, and what it costs.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
How to verify Dapsone quality before you use itA buyer's checklist for verifying Dapsone: FDA approval status, NABP-accredited pharmacy checks, G6PD testing, and red flags for oral dapsone sellers.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →

Dosing 8 guides

Dapsone cycle length: how long topical and oral courses runTopical dapsone (Aczone) is used long-term, often 3-6+ months minimum. Oral dapsone cycles are shorter and need G6PD testing and blood monitoring. Details here.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone dosage: topical vs oral, explained clearlyTopical dapsone gel is 5% or 7.5%, applied once daily. Oral dosage runs 25-200mg/day and needs G6PD testing first. Here's the real breakdown.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone dosage calculator: what topical and oral doses meanThere's no safe universal dapsone dosage calculator. See real FDA dosing for Aczone 5%/7.5% and oral dapsone, plus why G6PD testing matters more than math.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone half-life: how long it stays in your systemOral dapsone's half-life is about 10 to 50 hours (average ~30). Topical Aczone has minimal absorption. Here's what that means for dosing and clearance.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone for skin: timeline, what to expect week by weekTopical dapsone acne results often start at 8-12 weeks. Oral dapsone needs G6PD testing first. Here's the realistic timeline for both, dose by dose.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Does dapsone need refrigeration? Gel vs. pillsNo, topical dapsone (Aczone) doesn't need refrigeration; store at room temp, 68-77°F. Oral dapsone tablets are the same. Full storage rules inside.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
How long does dapsone take to work for acne?Topical dapsone (Aczone) needs 8-12 weeks for full acne results. Oral dapsone works faster but carries serious risks. Here's the real timeline, by form.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
How to reconstitute dapsone: the real answer, explainedDapsone products aren't reconstituted powders. Here's why that phrase is a red flag, plus how topical and oral dapsone actually get prepared and dosed.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →

Comparisons 5 guides

Is dapsone worth it? a real cost-benefit checkTopical dapsone clears mild-moderate acne in about 12 weeks for many users. Oral dapsone needs G6PD testing and monitoring. Here's the honest tradeoff.Updated 2026-07-30Read guide →
Dapsone vs azelaic acid: which one actually works?Topical dapsone cuts inflammatory acne lesions ~30-40% vs placebo; azelaic acid similarly reduces lesions ~50-70% over 15% baseline. Compare evidence, risks, cost.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone vs clindamycin for acne: which one wins?Topical dapsone 7.5% and clindamycin both treat acne, but trials show different strengths by acne type, sex, and side effect profile. Full comparison inside.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone vs spironolactone for acne: which is right?Topical dapsone gel and oral spironolactone treat different acne types by different routes. Compare evidence, side effects, and who should avoid each.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →
Dapsone vs tretinoin for acne: how do they compareTopical dapsone 7.5% and tretinoin both treat acne but work differently. Compare efficacy data, side effects, cost, and who should pick which one.Updated 2026-07-27Read guide →

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