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06:24
Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) Testing
Published on: May 28, 2013
Dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia: a primer for clinicians
James A Barclay1, Stamatina E Ziemba, Rami B Ibrahim
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. rami.ibrahim@hc.msu.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|August 20, 2011
Summary
Dapsone can cause methemoglobinemia, a condition presenting with symptoms like cyanosis and dyspnea, even at therapeutic doses. Prompt management with methylene blue generally leads to successful outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Dapsone is a medication used for various conditions.
- Methemoglobinemia is a serious adverse effect that can occur with dapsone use.
- Previous reviews on this topic are outdated, necessitating an updated summary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia.
- To outline the clinical presentation and precipitating factors.
- To detail effective management strategies for this condition.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases.
- Inclusion of case reports, case series, and randomized controlled trials published in English.
- Focus on publications from 1997 to March 2011 due to lack of recent updates.
Main Results:
- Dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia frequently occurs at therapeutic doses.
- Symptomatic cases present with cyanosis and dyspnea, often with concurrent conditions like anemia or pneumonia.
- Delayed hemolytic anemia can occur with high methemoglobin levels.
- Methylene blue is the primary management strategy, leading to successful outcomes in most reported cases.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must be aware of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia as a potential adverse effect.
- Recognizing precipitating factors and understanding prompt management are crucial.
- Effective management strategies, including methylene blue administration, are vital for successful patient outcomes.
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