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.

Azathioprine versus betamethasone for the treatment of parthenium dermatitis: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Parthenium hysterophorus is the commonest cause of airborne contact dermatitis in India. Azathioprine has been shown to be effective and safe in parthenium dermatitis, but there are no reports of comparison of steroids and azathioprine in this condition. AIMS: To study the therapeutic efficacy of azathioprine versus betamethasone in patients having contact dermatitis to parthenium and compare the side effects of the drugs. METHODS: Fifty-five patients of airborne contact dermatitis to parthenium were randomly assigned to treatment with azathioprine 100 mg daily (group A) or betamethasone 2 mg daily (group B), for 6 months in a blinded manner. The patients were evaluated every month for 6 months to determine the response to treatment and side effects and then further followed up for another 6 months to determine any relapse. RESULTS: There were 26 patients in group A and 29 in group B, of which 20 patients of group A and 21 of group B completed the study. Nineteen (95%) patients in group A and all 21 (100%) patients in group B had an excellent response (complete remission) to treatment (P=0.0156 vs. 0.0005). The patients in group B, however, had more adverse effects (Fisher exact, P

Evaluation of modified short course chemotherapy in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection in University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria--a preliminary report.

Over the period, 1st October 1999 to 30th April 2002 a clinical trial of the modified short-course chemotherapy (SCC) in newly diagnosed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Ibadan, Nigeria was carried out. The modified SCC used was adopted by World Health Organisation (WHO)/International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUALTD) for developing countries and also by the Nigerian National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programmed (NTLCP). The regimen used consisted of ethambutol (E), isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R) and pyrazinamide (Z) in the intensive phase of 2 months. The continuation phase was 6 months of ethambutol (E) and isoniazid(H), i.e. 2EHRZ/6EH. Sputum conversion was 90% at the second month of treatment and there was no bacteriological relapse after 18 months of follow-up. Side effects were few and consisted mainly of acne vulgaris in 20 (22.5%) of 89 patients during the continuation phase. It is concluded that this modified 8-month chemotherapy regimen adopted by NTLCP is efficacious in treatment of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients with background HIV infection.