Metabolic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological issues surrounding dapsone

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Sulfones, including dapsone, have a 70-year history as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.
• Dapsone is a key component in the World Health Organization's multidrug regimen for leprosy.
• These agents are effective in treating disorders marked by neutrophilic and eosinophilic infiltration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and update the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, adverse effects, drug interactions, and clinical applications of sulfones.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of dapsone's role in medicine.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed database was conducted.
• Keywords included: dapsone, sulfones, pharmacodynamics, pharmacology, adverse events, pharmacokinetics, drug interaction, dermatologic uses, and antimicrobial uses.

Main Results:

• Dapsone demonstrates clinical efficacy in various cutaneous and systemic conditions.
• It is considered the treatment of choice for leprosy and dermatitis herpetiformis.
• Sulfones have established roles in treating inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Conclusions:

• Dapsone remains a valuable therapeutic agent for specific dermatological and systemic conditions.
• Careful patient selection and monitoring are mandatory for safe and effective dapsone therapy.
• Understanding the pharmacology of sulfones is crucial for their continued clinical application.