Safety and effectiveness of topical dapsone in acne treatment: A review

Oral dapsone is effective in treating several dermatologic conditions, including acne vulgaris. However, the rate of adverse effects of oral dapsone is a concern when prescribing it. Topical dapsone may mitigate these adverse effects and enhance the safety and tolerability of dapsone. Here, we review the published reports and studies to examine the efficacy and safety of topical dapsone in treating acne. A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. The review considered patient and disease factors, such as the type of acne, acne location, patient gender, age, skin type, and race. Other factors, such as the duration and dosage of treatment, monotherapy versus combination therapy, adverse events, and safety profiles, were also compared. Topical dapsone was well tolerated and effective across a variety of acne presentations and patient subgroups. It showed a favorable safety profile, even in patients with comorbidities, such as G6PD deficiency. We conclude that topical dapsone is safe, effective, and well tolerated in the treatment of acne, contrary to its oral form.