dapsone (DDS)

Drug description
Dapsone is an effective antibiotic used for prophylaxis against PCP pneumonia. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, commonly referred to as PCP, can affect the lungs as well as other parts of the body, including the skin and internal organs. People who are at the greatest risk of contracting this type of pneumonia are those who have less than 200 T4 cells. Symptoms of PCP include shortness of breath, dry cough, and fever. PCP seems to occur very frequently in women as a first or second AIDS-defining illness. Diagnosis in women is often delayed and the illness may be severe by the time it is detected. Dapsone alone is probably less effective than Bactrim/Septra for prophylaxis. Dapsone with trimethoprim is an effective treatment of PCP. Dapsone with pyrimethamine is being studied for the prevention of toxoplasmosis.

Side effects
Anemia, allergic reaction such as widespread rash, and fever.

Dosage
Dapsone and ddI should not be taken together. The antacid used in the formulation of ddI may prevent dapsone from being absorbed. Some people do use ddI and dapsone in combination, but take them at least 2 hours apart to reduce the risk of getting PCP. Dapsone is taken in pill form. The usual dose is 50 mg twice a day, or as a single dose of 100 mg per day. In such high dose, anemia may be more frequent.

How long it may take to work
Because dapsone is a preventive treatment, you will continue treatment as tolerated to prevent you from getting active PCP or other opportunistic infections that you may be susceptible to.

Managing side effects
If you have an allergic reaction to dapsone, desensitization may work. This means starting with smaller doses and gradually building up to the standard dose, giving your system time to adjust to the drug.

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