Adverse effects of dapsone

Adverse effect	Frequency	Comments
Hemolysis	Common	Usually a compensated hemolysis but can be severe. Need to monitor with routine complete blood counts.
Agranulocytosis	Uncommon	Can be severe and life-threatening. Usually occurs in the first few months of treatment.
Methemoglobinemia	Common	Usually asymptomatic. Symptomatic methemoglobinemia (cardiopulmonary symptoms) should be evaluated and requires alteration of dose or discontinuation of dapsone.
Hypersensitivity syndrome (DRESS)	Rare	Life-threatening. Fever, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia, flu-like symptoms, hepatitis, morbilliform skin eruption. Immediately discontinue dapsone.
Peripheral neuropathy	Uncommon	Usually seen in patients with high daily doses of dapsone and high cumulative doses. Can be motor, sensory, or mixed neuropathy.

DRESS: drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms.

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