Is dapsone a corticosteroid
Andrew Walker
Updated on April 12, 2026
Background: Oral corticosteroids are used as a treatment for asthma, however they are often associated with serious side effects. Dapsone is a sulfone with anti-inflammatory properties, therefore it may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of asthma and act as a corticosteroid-sparing agent.
What drugs are considered corticosteroids?
- hydrocortisone (Cortef)
- cortisone.
- ethamethasoneb (Celestone)
- prednisone (Prednisone Intensol)
- prednisolone (Orapred, Prelone)
- triamcinolone (Aristospan Intra-Articular, Aristospan Intralesional, Kenalog) Methylprednisolone (Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Solu-Medrol)
Is dapsone a glucocorticoid?
Dapsone as a Glucocorticoid-Sparing Agent in Maintenance-Phase Pemphigus Vulgaris.
What kind of drug is dapsone?
Dapsone , a sulfone, belongs to the family of medicines called anti-infectives. Dapsone is used to treat leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and to help control dermatitis herpetiformis, a skin problem. When it is used to treat leprosy, dapsone may be given with one or more other medicines.Is dapsone an immunosuppressant?
Dapsone is a small molecule with anti-inflammatory immunosuppressive properties as well as antibacterial and antibiotic properties. It is used clinically to treat leprosy and malaria, and is being investigated for the treatment of a variety of skin infections.
What are the three types of corticosteroids?
There are several types of corticosteroids, including cortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone, prednisolone, betamethasone and hydrocortisone. Cortisone was the first corticosteroid drug approved for use in the U.S., which happened in 1950, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
What is the difference between a steroid and a corticosteroid?
Corticosteroids are man-made drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone that your adrenal glands produce naturally. Corticosteroids are often referred to by the shortened term “steroids.” Corticosteroids are different from the male hormone-related steroid compounds that some athletes abuse.
Is dapsone an anti-inflammatory?
Dapsone has clinical utility as an anti-inflammatory agent but the mechanism of this action remains unknown.What is the commonest side effect of dapsone?
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, or blurred vision may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Is dapsone the same as doxycycline?Dapsone, belongs to a class of drugs known as sulfones, suppresses production of specific cytokine signatures as IL1α, IL8, IL1β, IL6, and IL8 and tumor necrosis factor-α [3]. Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is used for its antibiotic, anti-inflammatory properties and good safety profile.
Article first time published onWhat are the long term side effects of taking dapsone?
Rarely, prolonged use of dapsone over months or years at a high dose can lead to impaired function of nerves in the limbs, causing weakness of muscles in the hands and feet.
Can you take prednisone and dapsone at the same time?
No interactions were found between dapsone and prednisone. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
What can you not take with dapsone?
Dapsone (Aczone) may result in lowering of red and white blood cell counts. Use of dapsone (Aczone) should be avoided if you are taking oral Dapsone, antimalarial medications, or the antibiotic, Bactrim.
Is dapsone bad for your liver?
Dapsone induced liver injury can result in acute liver failure, but most cases resolve rapidly with discontinuation of drug and full recovery is expected within 2 to 8 weeks. Severe cholestatic injury may be prolonged.
Is dapsone used to treat lupus?
Small series have reported that dapsone, which has been used in the treatment of lupus since 1978, can ameliorate vasculitis, bullae, urticaria, oral ulcerations, thrombocytopenia, lupus panniculitis, and subacute cutaneous lupus. Dapsone may be steroid-sparing and can be effective in lupus resistant to chloroquine.
Can dapsone cause low oxygen levels?
Acquired methemoglobinemia from dapsone therapy results in an inability of hemoglobin to bind oxygen causing reduced oxygen delivery [3]. Prolonged reduction in oxygen delivery results in diffuse tissue hypoxia and cell death. Normal human red blood cells have methemoglobin levels of less than 2% [4].
What are 5 common side effects of steroids?
- Acne.
- Blurred vision.
- Changes in behavior or mood.
- Dizziness.
- Elevated blood pressure levels.
- Elevated blood sugar levels.
- Fluid retention.
- Headache.
What are the 2 main types of steroids?
“Steroids” can also refer to man-made medicines. The two main types are corticosteroids and anabolic-androgenic steroids (or anabolics for short).
Is 50 mg of prednisone high?
Official Answer. The starting dose of prednisone may be between 5 mg to 60 mg per day. A dose above 40 mg per day may be considered a high dose.
Is Ibuprofen a corticosteroid?
Common corticosteroids include prednisone, cortisone, and methylprednisolone. Examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), oxaprozin (Daypro), and piroxicam (Feldene).
When should you not use corticosteroids?
Increased risk of infections, especially with common bacterial, viral and fungal microorganisms. Thinning bones (osteoporosis) and fractures. Suppressed adrenal gland hormone production that may result in a variety of signs and symptoms, including severe fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and muscle weakness.
Is albuterol a corticosteroid?
No, albuterol isn’t a steroid. Albuterol is a beta-agonist. The drug works by attaching to beta-receptors (docking stations) in your airways. This helps relax the muscles in your airways, making it easier for you to breathe.
Is dapsone bad for kidneys?
Although it is considered a safe drug, several side effects have been reported. In general, adverse effects rarely occur at doses less than 100 mg per day. They mainly consist of skin, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney and hematological disorders.
Does dapsone raise blood sugar?
Medicines That Increase Blood Sugar: Antibiotics (Dapsone, Rifampin)
How long does it take to get dapsone out of your system?
The drug is also N-hydroxylated in the liver which product is responsible for the hemodynamic adverse effects. Its half life is long, 10-50 h and the time to reach plateau is at least 8 days[2]. The drug has been used for other skin disorders also.
Can you use dapsone with vitamin C?
No interactions were found between dapsone and Vitamin C. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Is dapsone the same as aczone?
Differin is a topical medication indicated for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Dapsone and Differin belong to different drug classes. Dapsone is an antibacterial medication and Differin is a retinoid. A brand name for dapsone is Aczone.
Can I apply moisturizer after dapsone?
I use 2x’s/day- apply the gel on a clean face, add oil-free moisturizer, followed by an oil- free foundation (for day wear). This medication doesn’t bleach clothes, and doesn’t cause redness or excessive dryness.
Can you develop resistance to dapsone?
Resistance to dapsone and rifampin has been observed in many leprosy-endemic regions of the world (2–5). The Global Sentinel Surveillance for Drug Resistance in Leprosy program was established by the World Health Organization to monitor global leprosy drug resistance among cases of relapse (6).
Is dapsone good for Lyme disease?
In conclusion, double-dose dapsone therapy could represent a novel and effective anti-infective strategy in chronic Lyme disease/ post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), especially in those individuals who have failed regular dose dapsone combination therapy (DDS CT) or standard antibiotic protocols.
Is dapsone used to treat Lyme disease?
Dapsone combination therapy (DDS CT) is clinically effective as a novel drug regimen for the treatment of chronic Lyme disease as reported in 100 patients who had previously failed commonly prescribed antibiotic therapies [32].