Description
What is Acnedap 5% dapsone gel and how does it work?
Acnedap gel 5% made by reputable Cipla and contains the active ingredient dapsone, a sulfone component that is used as a topical treatment for acne vulgaris but is also used to treat serious infections like leprosy. Acne forms as a result of overstimulation of the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in hair follicles). This often happens in response to a surge of androgen hormones at puberty and causes pores to become clogged with dead skin, leading to the formation of new pimples, whitehead and blackheads (comedones), which can become infected and inflamed.
Clogged pores attract bacteria which then overgrow and cause infection. Propionibacterium acnes are bacteria that normally exist on the skin without causing any problems, living on fatty acids in the sebum (oil) secreted by the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in hair follicles of the skin).
Dapsone in Acnedap gel 5% is a sulfone antibacterial with anti-inflammatory actions and is thought to work by blocking the formation of dihydrofolic acid bacterial cells, a precursor for folic acid, which is needed for nucleic acid synthesis. This does not affect the host cells as only preformed folic acid is used in mammalian cells. This action of dapsone in Acnedap gel 5% kills the bacteria and prevents the spread of bacteria. Acnedap gel 5% is an effective and well-tolerated option for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.
The side effects of dapsone 5 Acnedap?
The most commonly reported side effects when using Acnedap include dryness, itching, and redness of the skin at the site of application. Other rare side effects include Methemoglobinemia (a blood disorder where abnormal amounts of the blood pigment methemoglobin is produced.
When should Acnedap not be used?
You should not use Acnedap gel 5% if you:
- are allergic to dapsone or any ingredients in Acnedap
- are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
- have a glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency as this may increase risk of hemolytic anemia when using Acnedap
- are using benzoyl peroxide containing medication for acne followed by dapsone as this may cause a temporary local yellow or orange discoloration of the skin and facial hair
- are taking medicines that induce methemoglobinemia when using Acnedap, such as sulfonamides, acetaminophen, acetanilide, aniline dyes, benzocaine, chloroquine, dapsone, naphthalene, nitrates and nitrites, nitrofurantoin, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, pamaquine, para‐aminosalicylic acid, phenacetin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primaquine, and quinine
How to use dapsone 5% gel
Aanedap gel, 5% dapsone should be applied to the affected areas twice daily. The patient should follow the instructions given below and by your dermatologist while using Acnedap gel:
- The affected areas should be thoroughly washed with water.
- The pinpoint tube should be squeezed to extract the required amount of ACNEDAP Gel, 5%, onto your fingertip.
- A thin film of ACNEDAP Gel, 5%, should be gently applied to the affected areas.
- The cap of the tube should be kept tightly closed after use.
- If there is no improvement after 12 weeks, treatment with ACNEDAP Gel, 5%, should be reassessed.
- Continue to use your Acnedap gel 5% daily for as long as recommended by your dermatologist, which is usually 12 weeks.
References
Pickert A, Raimer S. An evaluation of dapsone gel 5% in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2009 Jun;10(9):1515-21.
Al-Salama ZT, Deeks ED. Dapsone 7.5% Gel: A Review in Acne Vulgaris. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Feb;18(1):139-145
