Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Interaction of topical sulfacetamide and topical dapsone with benzoyl peroxide
Meghan I Dubina1, Alan B Fleischer
1Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1071, USA.
Background:
A recent study demonstrated evidence of a yellow-orange discoloration of the skin and hair when topical dapsone gel was combined with benzoyl peroxide. This phenomenon had previously been observed by one of us (A.B.F.) when sulfasalazine was combined with benzoyl peroxide. To investigate these interaction phenomena, topical dapsone gel and sulfacetamide sodium lotion were combined with various topical acne treatments, including benzoyl peroxides, clindamycin phosphate, and retinoids.
Observations:
Products containing benzoyl peroxide produced an orange-brown discoloration when mixed with either sulfacetamide or dapsone.
Conclusions:
Knowledge of the chemical reaction between benzoyl peroxide and sulfacetamide and dapsone will help minimize the occurrence of this interaction on our patients' skin.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism
Such synergistic combinations...
Acne Infection
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Phase II Reactions: Sulfation and Conjugation with α-Amino Acids
Aryldiazonium Salts to Azo Dyes: Diazo Coupling

