Dapsone as a single agent is suboptimal therapy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Abstract

In a prospective, noncomparative study, seven patients with mild Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, characterized by room air arterial PO2 greater than 60 mm Hg at the time of presentation, were treated with dapsone alone at a dose of 200 mg daily. Two of the seven patients required mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure on day 5 of dapsone therapy; both died. Four patients experienced major side effects during dapsone therapy. None of the seven patients successfully completed a full course of therapy with dapsone. We conclude that high-dose, single-agent dapsone is not suitable for further study as therapy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

• Authors: S Safrin, F R Sattler, B L Lee, T Young, R Bill, C T Boylan, J Mills
• Journal: Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr (1988)) Vol. 4 Issue 3 Pg. 244-9 ( 1991) ISSN: 0894-9255 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1992102 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Dapsone

Topics

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (complications)
• Adult
• Dapsone (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Pneumonia, Pneumocystis (complications, drug therapy)
• Prospective Studies
• Random Allocation