What is Aczone Gel Uses, warnings & interactions
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Get started todayAczone is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Allergan. The active ingredient in Aczone is dapsone, which is classed as a sulfone. It is used for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
What is Aczone used for?
Aczone is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Allergan. The active ingredient in Aczone is dapsone, which is classed as a sulfone. It is used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Dapsone does not contain benzoyl peroxide and is not a retinoid.
How does Aczone 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.
Alternatives to Aczone
- Topical retinoids
- Topical antibiotics
- Azelaic acid
- Antibiotic tablets
Aczone forms and strengths
Aczone is available in a topical gel dosage form, containing 7.5% of dapsone as the active ingredient.
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 side effects
The most common side effects of Aczone in clinical studies include:
- Application site skin reactions (oily skin, 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.
Aczone precautions
Aczone isn’t suitable for everyone. You shouldn’t take Aczone if you:
- Are allergic to the active ingredient dapsone
- Have had an allergic reaction 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 about your medical condition 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
Aczone drug interactions
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.
Aczone FAQs
How long does it take for 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 has a half-life of 10 to 50 hours (the time it takes for the amount of a drug’s active substance in your body to reduce by half) and can stay in your system for up to 8 to 10 days.
What should I avoid while taking Aczone?
Avoid using benzoyl peroxide, another acne medication. If used at the same time it may cause temporary changes in the color of your skin or facial hair.
Can I overdose on Aczone?
Overdose with Aczone is not common. Seek medical attention if you or anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.
How much does Aczone cost?
Without insurance, prices for Aczone will vary depending on where you buy it and the number of capsules or chewable tablets per pack. As a guide, Aczone topical gel 5% will cost around $730 for 60 grams.
Aczone may be covered by your healthcare plan, but you may have to make co-payments. With NiceRx you may be able to get Aczone for a flat fee of only $49 per month. See how we can help you access affordable Aczone medication.