Aczone Gel Dosage, forms & strengths

Medically reviewed by  Jamie Winn, PharmD

Complete a free online enrollment application to find out if you’re eligible to pay only $49 per month for your Aczone Gel medication.

Get started today

Aczone is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Allergan. Aczone contains dapsone, which is classed as a sulfone. It is used for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Aczone forms and strengths

Aczone is available in a topical gel dosage form, containing 7.5% of dapsone as the active ingredient.

How does Actemra work?

The exact mechanism of action of topical dapsone gel in treating acne is not fully understood, but we do know that dapsone kills the bacteria that causes acne, and helps to keep your skin pores clean.

Aczone dosage restrictions

Aczone may cause problems if you have certain medical conditions. Contraindications include if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient dapsone
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Aczone Gel
• Are younger than 12 years of age (the safety and effectiveness of Aczone, has not been established in pediatric patients below the age of 9 years)
• Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed. Dapsone may pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby during lactation

Talk to your doctor before using Aczone Gel if you:

• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Aczone Gel
• Have severe anemia, G6PD deficiency (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency), or congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia. Oral dapsone treatment has produced dose-related hemolysis and hemolytic anemia
• Have abnormal red blood cells in your blood

How to use Aczone

Apply a pea-sized amount in a thin layer to the entire face. A thin layer can also be applied to other acne–affected areas. If you do not see an improvement after 12 weeks, treatment should be reassessed. Aczone gel is for topical application only, not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. If you get this medication in your eyes, mouth, or vagina, rinse it with water.

Store Aczone gel at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Please see the full prescribing information, including the medication guide for the full drug information, and always speak with your healthcare provider for medical advice about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.

Aczone dosage FAQs

How long does it take Aczone to work?

You should begin to see results after a month, with maximum results seen after 3 months.

How long does Aczone stay in your system?

Aczone can stay in your system for up to 8 to 10 days.

What happens if I miss a dose of Aczone

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose skip the missed dose. Do not double your doses to make up for any missed doses.

How long can I take Aczone?

Treatment with Aczone is usually recommended for 12 weeks. Your healthcare provider will decide whether treatment should be continued at the end of this 12 week period.

Can I overdose on Aczone?

Overdose with Aczone is not common. Speak to your healthcare provider if you or anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

What interacts with Aczone?

Drug interactions can change how Aczone and other medications work. It can even increase the likelihood and severity of some side effects.  Medications that are known or thought to interact with Aczone include:

• Topical benzoyl peroxide may cause temporary changes in the color of your skin or facial hair if used at the same time
• Numbing injection medication – tetracaine, ropivacaine, prilocaine
• Numbing medication for the skin – topical benzocaine, cocaine, dibucaine, lidocaine, or tetracaine
• Numbing medication for the eyes – ophthalmic proparacaine, lidocaine, or benoxinate
• Malaria treatment – tafenoquine, quinine, primaquine, chloroquine
• Vasodilator medication to improve blood flow to the heart – nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, amyl nitrite
• Treatments for cancer – ivosidenib, lorlatinib, pexidartinib, vemurafenib
• Drugs that induce methemoglobinemia such as sulfonamides, acetaminophen, acetanilide, aniline dyes, benzocaine, chloroquine
• Corticosteroids – dexamethasone, prednisolone
• Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole – increase the systemic exposure of dapsone and its metabolites

Speak to a healthcare professional about all drugs you’re taking, including other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, vitamins, and dietary supplements.

What are the side effects of Aczone

Common side effects of Aczone in clinical studies include:

• Application site skin reactions (oiliness, peeling, dryness, erythema, pruritus)

Serious side effects include:

• Hematological effects such as methemoglobinemia (a condition in which a higher-than-normal amount of methemoglobin is found in the blood. Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin that cannot carry oxygen)
• Peripheral neuropathy (motor loss and muscle weakness) has been reported with oral dapsone treatment
• Breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia – symptoms include back pain, dark brown urine, shortness of breath, fever, tiredness, weakness, or yellow or pale skin
• Lips, fingernails, or palms turning blue
• Dizziness
• Increase in heart rate

Your doctor will assess the benefits of using Aczone against your risk of adverse events. You are encouraged to report adverse effects or adverse reactions to the FDA, visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related medications