Severe accidental dapsone overdose

Acute poisoning from excessive dapsone (4,4-diaminodiphenylsulfone) intake in uncommon in the United States; no cases were reported during 1992. However, with the increasing use of dapsone for diseases other than leprosy and dermatitis herpetiformis, such as acne vulgaris, psoriasis, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, clinicians should be aware of potential toxicities. This report describes a case of accidental dapsone intoxication resulting in severe cyanosis with a modest elevation in methemoglobin concentration.