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aczone

Aczone (Dapsone) is a sulfone used to treat Dermatitis Herpetiformis, Relapsing Polychondritis, Lepromatous Leprosy, Aids-Related Opportunistic Infections.

Dapsone · by Almirall

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 18, 2026·How we rate
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Key facts

Active ingredient
Dapsone
Drug class
Sulfone
Form
Topical
Strength
Dapsone 7.5%
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
Manufacturer
Almirall
What the pharmacy pays
~$23.83 for 30 — not your price
FDA application
NDA207154

What is Aczone?

From the FDA label:ACZONE (dapsone) Gel, 7.5%, contains dapsone, a sulfone, in an aqueous gel base for topical dermatologic use. ACZONE Gel, 7.5% is an off-white to yellow gel with suspended particles. Chemically, dapsone has an empirical formula of C 12 H 12 N 2 O 2 S. It is a white or slightly yellow-white, crystalline powder that has a molecular weight of 248.30. Dapsone’s chemical name is 4-[(4-aminobenzene) sulfonyl] aniline and its structural formula is: Each gram of ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, contains 75 mg of dapsone, USP, in a gel of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, methylparaben, acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, isohexadecane, polysorbate 80, and purified water. Chemical Structure

How to use

For topical use only. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. After the skin is gently washed and patted dry, apply approximately a pea-sized amount of ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, in a thin layer to the entire face once daily. In addition, a thin layer may be applied to other affected areas once daily. Rub in ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, gently and completely. If there is no improvement after 12 weeks, treatment with ACZONE Gel, 7.5% should be reassessed. Apply once daily ( 2 ). Apply approximately a pea-sized amount of ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, in a thin layer to the entire face. A thin layer can also be applied to other affected areas ( 2 ). If there is no improvement after 12 weeks, treatment with ACZONE Gel, 7.5% should be reassessed ( 2 ). For topical use only. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use ( 2 ).

Side effects

Most common (incidence ≥ 0.9%) adverse reactions are application site dryness and pruritus ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Almirall at 1-866-665-2782 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. A total of 2161 subjects were treated with ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, for 12 weeks in 2 controlled clinical trials. The population ranged in age from 12 to 63 years, was 56% female, and 58% Caucasian. Adverse drug reactions that were reported in at least 0.9% of subjects treated with ACZONE Gel, 7.5% appear in Table 1 below. Table 1. Adverse Reactions Occurring in at Least 0.9% of Subjects with Acne Vulgaris in 12-week Controlled Clinical Trials ACZONE Gel, 7.5% (N=2161) Vehicle (N=2175) Application Site Dryness 24 (1.1%) 21 (1.0%) Application Site Pruritus 20 (0.9%) 11 (0.5%) 6.2 Experience with Oral Use of Dapsone Although not observed in the clinical trials with topical dapsone, serious adverse reactions have been reported with oral use of dapsone, including agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, peripheral neuropathy (motor loss and muscle weakness), and skin reactions…

Warnings

Important safety information

Methemoglobinemia: Cases of methemoglobinemia have been reported. Discontinue ACZONE Gel if signs of methemoglobinemia occur ( 5.1 ). Hemolysis: Some patients with Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency using topical dapsone developed laboratory changes suggestive of hemolysis ( 5.1 )( 8.6 ). 5.1 Hematological Effects Methemoglobinemia Cases of methemoglobinemia, with resultant hospitalization, have been reported postmarketing in association with twice daily dapsone gel, 5%, treatment. Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency or congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia are more susceptible to drug-induced methemoglobinemia. Avoid use of ACZONE Gel, 7.5% in those patients with congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia. Signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia may be delayed some hours after exposure. Initial signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia are characterized by a slate grey cyanosis seen in e.g., buccal mucous membranes, lips, and nail beds. Advise patients to discontinue ACZONE Gel, 7.5% and seek immediate medical attention in the event of cyanosis. Dapsone can cause elevated methemoglobin levels particularly in conjunction with methemoglobin-inducing agents [see Drug Interactions ( 7.4 )]. Hemolysis Oral dapsone treatment has produced dose-related hemolysis and hemolytic anemia. Individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are more prone to hemolysis with the use of certain drugs. G6PD deficiency is most prevalent in populations of African, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean ancestry. In clinical trials, there was no evidence of clinically relevant hemolysis or hemolytic anemia in subjects treated with topical dapsone. Some subjects with G6PD deficiency using dapsone gel, 5 %, twice daily developed laboratory changes suggestive of hemolysis [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )]. Discontinue ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, if signs and symptoms suggestive of hemolytic anemia occur. Avoid use of ACZONE Gel, 7.5% in patients who are taking oral dapsone or antimalarial medications because of the potential for hemolytic reactions. Combination of ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) may increase the likelihood of hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . 5.2 Peripheral Neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy (motor loss and muscle weakness) has been reported with oral dapsone treatment. No events of peripheral neuropathy were observed in clinical trials with topical dapsone treatment. 5.3 Skin Reactions Skin reactions (toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, morbilliform and scarlatiniform reactions, bullous and exfoliative dermatitis, erythema nodosum, and urticaria) have been reported with oral dapsone treatment. These types of skin reactions were not observed in clinical trials with topical dapsone treatment.

Who should not take Aczone

None. None ( 4 ).

Interactions

No formal drug-drug interaction studies were conducted with ACZONE Gel, 7.5%. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) increases the systemic level of dapsone and its metabolites ( 7.1 ). Topical benzoyl peroxide used at the same time as ACZONE Gel, 7.5% may result in temporary local yellow or orange skin discoloration ( 7.2 ). 7.1 Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole A drug-drug interaction study evaluated the effect of the use of dapsone gel, 5% in combination with double strength (160 mg/800 mg) trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX). During co-administration, systemic levels of TMP and SMX were essentially unchanged, however, levels of dapsone and its metabolites increased in the presence of TMP/SMX. The systemic exposure from ACZONE Gel, 7.5% is expected to be about 1% of that from the 100 mg oral dose, even when co-administered with TMP/SMX. 7.2 Topical Benzoyl Peroxide Topical application of dapsone gel followed by benzoyl peroxide in patients with acne vulgaris may result in a temporary local yellow or orange discoloration of the skin and facial hair. 7.3 Drug Interactions with Oral Dapsone Certain concomitant medications (such as rifampin, anticonvulsants, St. John’s wort) may increase the formation of dapsone hydroxylamine, a metabolite of dapsone associated with hemolysis. With oral dapsone treatment, folic acid antagonists such as pyrimethamine have been noted to possibly increase the likelihood of hematologic reactions. 7.4 Concomitant Use with Drugs that Induce Methemoglobinemia Concomitant use of ACZONE Gel, 7.5% with drugs that induce methemoglobinemia such as sulfonamides, acetaminophen, acetanilide, aniline dyes, benzocaine, chloroquine, dapsone, naphthalene, nitrates and nitrites, nitrofurantoin, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, pamaquine, para‐aminosalicylic acid, phenacetin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primaquine, and quinine may increase the risk for developing methemoglobinemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] .

Drug class

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

Dosage forms

Topical

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

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Frequently asked questions

What does Aczone treat?
Aczone (Dapsone) may be used to treat dermatitis herpetiformis, relapsing polychondritis, lepromatous leprosy, AIDS-related opportunistic infections, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
How much does Aczone cost?
Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $23.83 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins. Pharmacies pay less for a same-class option, Acyclovir Sodium — about $4.83 on the same basis.
Is there a coupon or discount for Aczone?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Aczone. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Aczone?
Aczone is marketed by Almirall. You can see Almirall's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Aczone a brand-name or generic drug?
Aczone is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Dapsone.
Is Aczone available over the counter?
No. Aczone is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Aczone come in?
Aczone is currently marketed as topical, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
What class of drug is Aczone?
Aczone is classified as sulfone, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
Is Aczone FDA-registered?
Aczone is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA207154. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Has Aczone been recalled by the FDA?
Aczone has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
Is Aczone safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Aczone. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Aczone?
Aczone's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Most common (incidence ≥ 0.9%) adverse reactions are application site dryness and pruritus ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Almirall at 1-866-665-2782 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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