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Home , Dapsone, Rifabutin

For the treatment of dose, just carry on with your regular gondii infections, dapsone 50 mg or 100 schedule.

mg daily is given with  Other NAMES: Avlosulfon (Daraprim ) and folinic acid What ADVERSE EFFECTS can this (Leucovorin ). drug cause? What should you do WHY is this drug prescribed? about them? Your dosage is: Dapsone is used for the prevention and Dapsone can cause a variety of rare treatment of Pneumocystis carinii 25 mg tablet adverse effects to your blood. The most pneumonia (PCP) and toxoplasmosis 100 mg tablet serious of these are hemolytic gondii infections. (the breakdown of red blood cells) and

___tablet(s)(___ mg)____times a (an increase in Dapsone is used when a person has day the form of hemoglobin that cannot experienced adverse effects or toxicity carry oxygen). Leukopenia (a to the drug of choice for PCP, Dapsone may be taken with or without decrease in white blood cells that - food. However, if you have an upset makes you more at risk of having (TMP/SMX, Bactrim , Septra  and stomach or , it is preferable to bacterial infections) may also occur. others). Dapsone is a safe and effective take it with food. These effects are related to the amount alternative. of dapsone taken and to persons who

Dapsone should not be taken at the may already be experiencing low red HOW should this drug be taken? same time as didanosine (Videx ), anti- blood cell levels. Regular laboratory

ulcer drugs [ranitidine (Zantac ), tests are important. If you experience For the prevention of PCP, dapsone is  symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of taken on its own or in a variety of famotidine (Pepcid ), pantoprazole   breath, rapid heartbeat, and chills, combinations with other drugs such as (Pantoloc ), lansoprazole (Prevacid ),  please contact your doctor. trimethoprim (Proloprim ), omeprazole (Losec ), rabeprazole   pyrimethamine (Daraprim ) and folinic (Pariet ), esomeprazole (Nexium )] or antacids (Maalox , Tums , etc ) as Dapsone is, however, generally well acid (Leucovorin ). The usual dosage tolerated. Other adverse effects can of dapsone is 100mg daily. However, they can decrease dapsone’s absorption. If you need to take these include , skin itchiness, nausea, the dosage of dapsone may vary when vomiting, , dizziness, used in combination with other drugs. drugs, take them at least 2 hours after the dapsone dose. muscle weakness and a tingling or numbness feeling in the hands and For the treatment of PCP infection, What should you do if you toes. If you develop a skin rash with or dapsone, 100mg daily, is taken in without a fever, please consult your combination with trimethoprim FORGET a dose? doctor or pharmacist. (Proloprim ) (15mg/kg/day in 3 to 4 If you miss a dose of dapsone, take it as divided doses) for 21 days. It is important that you keep your soon as possible. However, if it is time doctor appointments and come for for your next dose, do not double the your laboratory tests so that your How should this drug be STORED? progress can be followed.

Dapsone tablets should be stored in a What other PRECAUTIONS should cool (15-30 °C) dry place, protected you follow while using this drug? from light. Ensure that the drug has not expired by checking the expiry DAPSONE Dapsone has been used in pregnant date (“EXP”) shown on the outside of women without evidence of any the package. Keep all drugs well out deformities or harmful effects on the of the reach of children. fetus. However, as with all drugs, its benefits must be weighed against its Do not store in your bathroom. Heat potential risks. Breastfeeding is NOT and moisture may cause the drug to recommended if you are taking dapsone be less active. as adverse effects such as hemolytic MEDICATION anemia may appear in the baby. If you If you have any questions or are pregnant or breastfeeding, please concerns about this drug or if you discuss this with your doctor. are experiencing adverse effects, please discuss them with your FACT SHEET Certain drugs can increase or decrease pharmacist, doctor or nurse. the effect of dapsone. Also, dapsone might influence the effect of other drugs Write questions or concerns down you are taking. Inform your doctor and to ensure they are addressed. pharmacist of all prescribed and non- prescribed drugs you are taking. As The following pharmacist is available well, you should inform them of natural to answer questions: products you are taking. If you wish to start a new drug or natural product, Pharmacist: ______please consult with your pharmacist Telephone: ______before doing so.

In particular, you should notify your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking the following drugs: Reference: Product Monograph Dapsone  (dapsone). probenecid (Benuryl ) Princeton, NJ, USA: Jacobus Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.,  1997. Prepared by the Ontario HIV Pharmacy Professional (Mycobutin ) Specialty Group, 2003. Reviewed 2009.

Rifampin (e.g. Rifadin , Rimactane , Rofact ) Additional medication fact sheets and updates may be found at: www.hivclinic.ca warfarin (Coumadin )