Aczone

Generic name: Dapsone Topical
Drug class: Topical acne agents

Usage of Aczone

Aczone is an anti-infective medication.

Aczone is a topical gel used to help treat acne. The mechanism of action of in treating acne is not known. It is not for oral use. Use is contraindicated in persons with a hypersensitivity to dapsone.

Aczone gel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Aczone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Aczone: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Aczone may cause methemoglobinemia (met-HEEM-oh glo-bin-EE-mee-a), a serious condition in which the amount of oxygen in your blood stream becomes dangerously low. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you notice a blue or gray appearance of your lips, fingernails, or the inside of your mouth.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe sore throat;

unusual thoughts or behavior;

a red blood cell disorder - back pain, pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

pancreas problems - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or

severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common Aczone side effects may include:

dry or peeling skin;

oily skin; or

redness where the medicine was applied.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Aczone

You should not use Aczone if you are allergic to dapsone.

To make sure Aczone gel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;

a blood disorder called methemoglobinemia (abnormal red blood cells in your blood); or

if you have ever had methemoglobinemia in the past.

It is not known whether Aczone will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Dapsone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Aczone gel is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Aczone

Use Aczone gel exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take by mouth. Aczone gel is for use only on the skin. If this medicine gets in your eyes, mouth, or vagina, rinse with water.

Wash the skin before you apply Aczone gel. Gently pat dry with a clean towel. Also wash your hands after applying this medicine.

Use only a pea-sized amount of gel each time you apply this medicine.

Using benzoyl peroxide acne medication at the same time as Aczone may cause temporary changes in the color of your skin or facial hair.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 12 weeks of treatment.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the tube tightly closed when not in use.

Warnings

Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a rash while using Aczone. In rare cases, dapsone has been associated with serious, and sometimes fatal, skin reactions.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Aczone

Aczone can cause a serious condition called methemoglobinemia, especially if you use certain medicines at the same time, including sulfa drugs, acetaminophen (Tylenol), nitroglycerin or other nitrite heart medications, seizure medicine, and several other drugs. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Aczone gel.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with dapsone topical, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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