187: Dapsone Flashcards
What is the primary mechanism by which dapsone acts as a bacteriostatic antibiotic?
Dapsone acts as a bacteriostatic antibiotic by interfering in the folate biosynthetic pathway. It inhibits the synthesis of dihydrofolic acid by competing with para-aminobenzoic acid for the active site of dihydropteroate synthetase.
What are the anti-inflammatory properties of dapsone and how does it compare to NSAIDs?
Dapsone has anti-inflammatory potential comparable to NSAIDs, although its exact mechanism remains unknown. It inhibits neutrophil migration to areas of inflammation, chemotaxis, and the release of inflammatory mediators, making it effective in treating dermatologic disorders.
What are the clinical uses of dapsone in immunocompromised patients?
Dapsone is used for the treatment of Hansen disease, toxoplasmosis, and as prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised patients, often in combination with pyrimethamine and leucovorin.
What is the absorption and peak serum concentration timeline for dapsone?
Dapsone is absorbed from the gut with a bioavailability exceeding 86%. Peak serum concentrations are attained within 2 to 8 hours after administration.
What are the significant side effects associated with dapsone therapy?
Significant side effects of dapsone include hemolysis and methemoglobinemia, which are particularly concerning in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
How does dapsone function as an anti-inflammatory agent?
Dapsone exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis, migration to areas of inflammation, and the release of inflammatory mediators. It also inhibits myeloperoxidase activity, which is involved in the oxidative burst of neutrophils.
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Dapsone has a bioavailability exceeding 86% when absorbed from the gut, with peak serum concentrations attained within 2 to 8 hours after administration, which is crucial for its therapeutic effectiveness.
What is the role of dapsone in treating dermatitis herpetiformis?
Dapsone is used for its anti-inflammatory effects in dermatitis herpetiformis, providing prompt relief from pruritus and controlling skin lesions, often leading to a rapid and dramatic response that can serve as a diagnostic test for the disease.
What is the FDA approval status of dapsone for acne treatment?
In 2016, the U.S. FDA approved a 7.5% dapsone gel for once-daily application for acne vulgaris, which is an advancement over the previously used 5% formulation that required twice-daily application.
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Dapsone inhibits the migration of neutrophils to inflammation sites by blocking chemotactic signals and preventing their adherence to skin-localized IgA and endothelium, thereby modulating the inflammatory response.
What is the importance of monitoring patients on dapsone therapy?
Monitoring is crucial for patients on dapsone therapy to detect potential side effects such as hemolysis and methemoglobinemia, especially in those with G6PD deficiency, ensuring safe and effective treatment.
What are the implications of dapsone’s classification in pregnancy?
Dapsone is classified as a Category C drug in pregnancy, indicating that risk cannot be ruled out, and its use should be carefully considered against potential benefits in pregnant patients.
What are the primary metabolic pathways of dapsone in the liver?
Dapsone is metabolized primarily through acetylation by N-acetyltransferase to monacetyl-dapsone (MADDS) and through hydroxylation by cytochrome P-450 enzymes, resulting in the generation of dapsone hydroxylamine (DDS-NOH).
What is the distribution of dapsone in the body?
Dapsone is distributed in virtually all organs and retained in the skin, muscle, kidneys, and liver. It can also be found in sweat, saliva, sputum, tears, and bile. Trace concentrations can be seen up to 3 weeks after discontinuation of treatment.
What are the implications of dapsone crossing the blood-brain barrier and placenta?
Dapsone crosses the blood-brain barrier and placenta, which can lead to cases of neonatal hemolysis and cyanosis if the mother is treated with dapsone during pregnancy.
What are the common drug interactions that increase blood levels of dapsone?
The common drug interactions that increase blood levels of dapsone include: Probenecid (Increases levels), Trimethoprim (Increases levels).
What is the significance of dapsone hydroxylamine in terms of side effects?
Dapsone hydroxylamine is a potent oxidant responsible for the development of methemoglobinemia, hemolysis, and liver damage. Reduced levels of enzymes that reduce dapsone hydroxylamine have been detected in patients who developed symptomatic methemoglobinemia.
What is the recommended use of topical dapsone gel?
Topical dapsone gel, approved in 2005 for the treatment of acne vulgaris, can be applied twice daily on up to 22% of patients’ body surface area, resulting in systemic levels that are 100-fold less than oral dapsone at therapeutic doses, with a favorable safety profile.
What are the medical indications for dapsone?
Dapsone is primarily used for: Leprosy (Commonly used in combination with rifampicin and clofazimine), PCP Prevention (Treats and prevents Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts), Toxoplasmosis (Used in patients unable to tolerate trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole).
A patient with renal dysfunction is prescribed dapsone. What precautions should be taken?
Dapsone should be avoided in patients with significant renal dysfunction. Renal function should be checked before prescribing dapsone.
What is the clinical significance of the FDA’s removal of the requirement for G6PD testing before topical dapsone treatment?
In 2008, the FDA removed the requirement for pretreatment G6PD testing for dapsone, indicating that the risk of hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient patients is lower than previously thought when using topical dapsone.
What are the effects of rifampicin on dapsone levels in the body?
Rifampicin reduces dapsone blood levels by upregulating the P-450 system, which can lead to decreased effectiveness of dapsone therapy.
How can cimetidine and omeprazole affect dapsone therapy?
Cimetidine and omeprazole block the N-hydroxylation of dapsone, which can mitigate some side effects associated with dapsone therapy.
What are the therapeutic indications for dapsone?
Dapsone is indicated for: Infectious diseases (Hansen disease, malaria, leishmaniasis, nocardiosis, PCP prophylaxis), Anti-inflammatory (Dermatitis herpetiformis, erythema elevatum diutinum, linear IgA dermatosis), Adjunctive treatment (Granuloma annulare), Neutrophilic dermatoses (Subcorneal pustular dermatosis). See Table 187-2.