Dapsone
Also known as: Avlosulfone, Daps, Dapsoderm-X, Dopsan, Novasulfone, Servidapsone, Sulfona
- **Strict Monitoring**: This medication requires close veterinary supervision. Frequent blood tests are necessary to monitor your pet's liver and red blood cells. - **Watch for Toxicity**: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice **pale or bluish gums**, **yellowing of the eyes/skin (jaundice)**, extreme lethargy, rapid breathing, vomiting, or unusual weakness. - **Sun Protection**: Dapsone can cause **photosensitivity**. Protect your pet's exposed skin from prolonged sunlight. - **Cats**: If prescribed for a cat, understand that the risks of severe side effects are significantly higher.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Alternative to clofazimine for treating feline leprosy
- Treating mycobacteriosis
- Aural chondritis
- Alternative treatment for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
- Alternative treatment for pemphigus
- Post-vaccination alopecia/vasculitis resistant to prednisone therapy
- Treating mycobacteriosis
- Adjunctive therapy of vasculitis
- Adjunctive treatment of Brown Recluse spider (Loxosceles spp.) bite
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Hepatotoxicity
- Dose-dependent methemoglobinemia
- Hemolytic anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Neutropenias
- Gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting)
- Neuropathies
- Cutaneous drug eruptions
- Photosensitivity
- Potential carcinogen
Cautions & contraindications
- Cats (relatively contraindicated due to high risk of neurotoxicity and hemolytic anemia)
- Hypersensitivity to dapsone or other sulfone drugs
- Patients with severe anemias or preexisting blood dyscrasias
- Preexisting hepatic dysfunction (use with extreme caution)
- - **Feline Sensitivity**: Cats are highly susceptible to dapsone-induced blood dyscrasias and hepatotoxicity. Use is generally not recommended. - **Pregnancy**: FDA Category C. Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus. Use with caution in pregnant animals. - **Nursing**: Excreted into milk in concentrations equivalent to plasma; hemolytic reactions have been seen in human neonates. Consider switching to milk replacer if required in a nursing dam. - **Hepatic Disease**: Use with caution in animals with preexisting hepatic dysfunction due to hepatotoxic potential.
Drug interactions
- Probenecid: May decrease the renal excretion of active metabolites of dapsone.
- Pyrimethamine: May increase risk of hematologic reactions occurring with dapsone.
- Rifampin: May decrease plasma dapsone concentrations (7-10 fold).
- Trimethoprim: May increase plasma dapsone concentrations (and vice versa) and potentially increase each other's toxicity.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dapsone used for in pets?
- **Strict Monitoring**: This medication requires close veterinary supervision. Frequent blood tests are necessary to monitor your pet's liver and red blood cells. - **Watch for Toxicity**: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice **pale or bluish gums**, **yellowing of the eyes/skin (jaundice)**, extreme lethargy, rapid breathing, vomiting, or unusual weakness. - **Sun Protection**: Dapsone can cause **photosensitivity**. Protect your pet's exposed skin from prolonged sunlight. - **Cats**: If prescribed for a cat, understand that the risks of severe side effects are significantly higher.
Is Dapsone safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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