Dusalm

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anti-infectives for systemic use; antimycobacterials; drugs for treatment of lepra. ATC code: J04BA02 Dapsone is a sulfone with activity against a wide range of bacteria.‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​ The mechanism of action is believed to be similar to that of the sulfonamides; inhibition of folic acid synthesis in susceptible organisms. Dapsone is usually considered bacteriostatic against M. leprae , although it may also possess weak bactericidal activity. Dapsone is also active against Plasmodium and Pneumocystis carinii ( Pneumocystis jirovecii ). In common with sulfonamides, antibacterial activity is inhibited by p -aminobenzoic acid. As an antimicrobial agent, dapsone is bacteriostatic in action. It inhibits the synthesis of dihydrofolic acid through by competing with para-aminobenzoic acid for the active site of dihydropteroate synthetase, thus resembling the action of sulfonamides. Sulfones were found to suppress the growth of various pathogenic bacteria such as streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, mycobacteria, and other strains. The mechanism of action of topical dapsone in the treatment of acne vulgaris may result from a combination of both antiinflammatory and antimicrobial effects. In vitro , dapsone has some antibacterial activity against Propionibacterium acnes . Owing to its antimicrobial activities, dapsone is clearly playing a role in the treatment of certain infectious diseases.