Pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2010 Jan;110(1):16-20.

Abstract

Dapsone is a leprostatic agent commonly prescribed for the treatment of patients with leprosy, malaria, and a variety of blistering skin diseases, including dermatitis herpetiformis. Methemoglobinemia, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood in body tissues is reduced, is a known adverse effect of dapsone use. The authors report a case of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia observed in the emergency department during routine workup for contact dermatitis in a patient with celiac disease. The pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dapsone / adverse effects*
  • Dermatitis, Contact / drug therapy
  • Diphenhydramine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Leprostatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Methemoglobinemia / chemically induced*
  • Methemoglobinemia / diagnosis*
  • Methemoglobinemia / drug therapy
  • Methemoglobinemia / physiopathology
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
  • Self Care

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists
  • Leprostatic Agents
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Dapsone