Pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia.

Authors

John V. Ashurst DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Megan N Wasson
William Hauger
William T Fritz

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2010

Abstract

Dapsone is a leprostatic agent commonly prescribed for the treatment of patients with leprosy, malaria, and a variety of blistering skin diseases, including dermatitis herpetiformis. Methemoglobinemia, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood in body tissues is reduced, is a known adverse effect of dapsone use. The authors report a case of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia observed in the emergency department during routine workup for contact dermatitis in a patient with celiac disease. The pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia are discussed.

Volume

110

Issue

1

First Page

16

Last Page

20

ISSN

1945-1997

Published In/Presented At

Ashurst, J. V., Wasson, M. N., Hauger, W., & Fritz, W. T. (2010). Pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 110(1), 16–20.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

20093649

Department(s)

Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Residents, Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Article