Dapsone for the treatment of acne vulgaris: do the risks outweigh the benefits?

Dapsone is a "4,4'-diamino diphenyl sulfone" compound and an aniline derivative from synthetic sulphones. Sulphonamides were first used in humans as antimicrobial agents to treat streptococcal infections. Dapsone derived from sulphonamides was first used in the treatment of leprosy in 1940. Today, Dapsone treatment is among the treatment options for many dermatological diseases. Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease, which causes scar formation and changed pigmentation. Acne affects 85% of teenagers, but can occur at any age and can last into adulthood and even lifelong. Through its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, dapsone treatment (local or systemic) can also be used in the treatment of acne. Dapsone treatment can cause a variety of side effects that can be categorized as pharmacological, dose-related, allergic, or idiosyncratic reactions. In this review article, the risks and benefits of using dapsone treatment in acne vulgaris will be evaluated in light of the literature.

Old antibiotics for emerging multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/XDR-TB).

Recently, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has become a therapeutic challenge. In addition to drug resistance, drug adverse events, intravenous delivery, cost and availability of some antibiotics in low-income countries have led to a look back to old drugs, especially those efficient against closely related organisms such as Mycobacterium leprae. Here we review the available drugs that respect the conditions above and could be upgraded to first-line therapy for treating MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB).

[Immuno-allergic accidents with rifamipcin]. / Accidents immuno-allergiques à la rifampicine.

We report 2 new cases of immuno-allergic side-effects of rifampicin (RMP), occurred in leprosy patients treated by multidrug therapy. These cases illustrate the various features of this type of complication. In one case, the patient exhibited few days after restarting of RMP (600 mg daily), a typical flu syndrome associated to a thrombopenia. Previously, the patient had received discontinued RMP (300 mg, 3/5 days) that had to be stopped after 11 months for "general malaise" that in fact corresponded to a flu syndrome. The second patient developed a flu syndrome associated with a diffuse eczematous eruption one year after the onset of daily RMP (600 mg). Anti-RMP antibodies were detected only in the first case. The pathogenic mechanisms and the clinico-biologic features are discussed.

Temas de farmacología

Recopilación de temas de la cátedra de Farmacología de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNNE

Temas de farmacología

Recopilación de temas de la cátedra de Farmacología de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNNE

A trial of long-acting sulphonamide R.O. 4-4393 (fanasil) in treatment of cases of lepromatous leprosy with repeated E.N.L.

A trial of long-acting Sulphonamide RO.4-4393 (Fanasil) in the treatment of Lepromatous Leprosy patients with repeated E.N.L. is reported in this paper. There were 9 patients treated with Fanasil in this trial for a period of 2 years. The results of the trial have shown that the treatment with Fanasil helps to prevent the occurrence of E.N.L. under treatment with D.D.S. In addition, even after the completion of treatment with Fanasil, these patients seem to be stabilised and are able to tolerate D.D.S. But, the clinical and Bacteriological progress under Fanasil therapy is not satisfactory.