dapsone

An antibiotic used in the treatment of leprosy and certain cutaneous diseases such as dermatitis herpetiformis, is active against the tubercle bacillus, is used in the treatment of bovine coccidiosis and streptococcal mastitis, and is used as a second-line agent in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a disease common in AIDS patients.

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dap·sone 'dap-.sōn, -.zōn n an antimicrobial agent C₁₂H₁₂N₂O₂S used esp. to treat leprosy and dermatitis herpetiformis called also diaminodiphenyl sulfone

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n.

a drug (see sulphone) used to treat leprosy and dermatitis herpetiformis. It is administered by mouth or injection; the most common side-effects are allergic skin reactions.

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dap·sone (DDS) (dapґsōn) [USP] an antibacterial and antifungal, the parent compound of a group of sulfonamide-like sulfones, including acedapsone, acetosulfone sodium, glucosulfone sodium, sulfoxone sodium, and solapsone. Dapsone and its derivatives are bacteriostatic for a broad spectrum of gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. leprae, and have suppressive action on Plasmodium falciparum. Dapsone is administered orally as a leprostatic, especially in tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy, as a dermatitis herpetiformis suppressant; in the prophylaxis of falciparum malaria; and for the prophylaxis and treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia. Called also diaminodiphenylsulfone or DDS.