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Dapsone

FDA-approved product (gel, topical), marketed as Aczone, Dapsone.

Registered studies
50+
Lab records
0
Pathogens at ≥40%
1 of 4

Chemical structure

Chemical structure of Dapsone
A drawing shows what the molecule is, not what it does.

Existing / approved use

Documented · FDA, WHO, ChEMBL

Approved for

  • Acne
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis
  • Leprosy

Indications ChEMBL records as approved, from FDA and DailyMed labels. Label ↗

WHO therapeutic group
Other anti-acne preparations for topical use; Drugs for treatment of lepra
FDA pharmacologic class
Sulfone FDA label ↗
Anti-infective classification
Classified as an existing antimicrobial.WHO ATC J04BA02

Repurposing investigation

Dapsone is already an antimicrobial, so it is not counted among the repurposing candidates. Its AI-predicted activity is shown below for reference.

AI-predicted activity

AI prediction · nothing measured
  • MRSA11.6% AI-predicted activityBelow the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.
  • E. coli13.4% AI-predicted activityBelow the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.
  • K. pneumoniae6.1% AI-predicted activityBelow the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.
  • M. tuberculosis76.8% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.

A model’s estimate of laboratory activity against each pathogen species. It is not clinical effectiveness.

Evidence

Clinical and experimental

Documented evidence

Clinical

50+registered studies name this medicine, for any condition. The registry search keeps the first 50, so there may be more. See them below.

Experimental

No evidence found

No laboratory measurement against the four pathogens in the ChEMBL records loaded here.

Docking

Computational · nothing measured

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (E. coli)

-7.8 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

KPC-2 carbapenemase ↗ (K. pneumoniae)

-6.4 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

Enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA) ↗ (M. tuberculosis)

-6.9 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (MRSA)

-7.5 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

AutoDock Vina, one experimentally solved protein per pathogen. This project’s screening target is -7.0 kcal/mol, its own mark rather than a universal cutoff. A docking score is a structural hypothesis, not proof of binding, and requires experimental validation.

Other medicines to investigate

AI prediction · nothing measured

Other repurposing candidates: approved medicines besides Dapsone with AI-predicted activity ≥40% against the chosen pathogen, leaving out existing antimicrobials. They are computational candidates for further investigation, not alternatives and not recommendations.

Sorted by AI-predicted activity, high to low. The order is not a ranking of which medicine is better.

Registered studies

A registration describes a study; it does not establish a positive result.

  • Efficacy of Dapsone as a Steroid Sparing Agent in Pemphigus Vulgaris

    NCT00429533 · start 1996-11

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00429533
    Conditions
    Pemphigus Vulgaris
    Interventions
    Dapsone
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Terminated
    Start
    1996-11
    Completion
    2004-02
    Enrolment
    48

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPemphigus Vulgaris
    InterventionDapsone
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusTerminated
  • Metabolic Capacity of Israeli Populations

    NCT00162383 · start 1995-07

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00162383
    Conditions
    Healthy Volunteers
    Interventions
    Debrisoquine; Mephenytoin; Dapsone; Caffeine
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    1995-07
    Completion
    2020-12
    Enrolment
    1,200

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionHealthy Volunteers
    InterventionDebrisoquine; Mephenytoin; Dapsone; Caffeine
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusUnknown
  • Diffuse Fibrotic Lung Disease

    NCT00000596 · start 1978-06

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00000596
    Conditions
    Lung Diseases; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Sarcoidosis
    Interventions
    prednisone; cyclophosphamide; dapsone
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    1978-06
    Completion
    1983-01
    Enrolment
    Not recorded

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionLung Diseases; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Sarcoidosis
    Interventionprednisone; cyclophosphamide; dapsone
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Comparison of Two Dosage Regimens of Oral Dapsone for Prophylaxis of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia in Pediatric HIV Infection

    NCT00000739

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00000739
    Conditions
    Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Carinii; HIV Infections
    Interventions
    Dapsone
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    Not recorded
    Completion
    1998-06
    Enrolment
    96

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPneumonia, Pneumocystis Carinii; HIV Infections
    InterventionDapsone
    PhasePhase 1
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Effect of Fluconazole, Clarithromycin, and Rifabutin on the Pharmacokinetics of Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim and Dapsone and Their Hydroxylamine Metabolites

    NCT00000826

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00000826
    Conditions
    Bacterial Infections; Mycoses; HIV Infections
    Interventions
    Clarithromycin; Rifabutin; Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim; Dapsone; Fluconazole
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    Not recorded
    Completion
    1999-05
    Enrolment
    48

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionBacterial Infections; Mycoses; HIV Infections
    InterventionClarithromycin; Rifabutin; Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim; Dapsone +1 more
    PhasePhase 1
    Registry statusCompleted