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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.

  • Dermal Tolerability of Dapsone Gel in Healthy Volunteers

    NCT02117752 · start 2014-04

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT02117752
    Conditions
    Healthy Volunteers
    Interventions
    dapsone gel; dapsone gel vehicle; sodium lauryl sulfate; Normal saline
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2014-04
    Completion
    2014-07
    Enrolment
    237

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

    ConditionHealthy Volunteers
    Interventiondapsone gel; dapsone gel vehicle; sodium lauryl sulfate; Normal saline
    PhasePhase 1
    Registry statusCompleted
  • A Study of Dapsone Gel in Females With Skin of Color and Acne Vulgaris

    NCT02032407 · start 2013-12

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT02032407
    Conditions
    Acne Vulgaris
    Interventions
    Dapsone Gel
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2013-12
    Completion
    2014-09
    Enrolment
    68

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

    ConditionAcne Vulgaris
    InterventionDapsone Gel
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted
  • A Safety and Efficacy Study of Dapsone Gel in Patients With Acne Vulgaris

    NCT01974141 · start 2013-11

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01974141
    Conditions
    Acne Vulgaris
    Interventions
    Dapsone Gel; Dapsone Gel Vehicle
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2013-11
    Completion
    2014-10
    Enrolment
    2,102

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

    ConditionAcne Vulgaris
    InterventionDapsone Gel; Dapsone Gel Vehicle
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Safety and Efficacy Study of Dapsone Gel in Patients With Acne Vulgaris

    NCT01974323 · start 2013-11

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01974323
    Conditions
    Acne Vulgaris
    Interventions
    Dapsone Gel; Dapsone Gel Vehicle
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2013-11
    Completion
    2014-10
    Enrolment
    2,238

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

    ConditionAcne Vulgaris
    InterventionDapsone Gel; Dapsone Gel Vehicle
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Dapsone Prurigo Study

    NCT01870050 · start 2013-09

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01870050
    Conditions
    Lichen Simples Chronicus and Prurigo
    Interventions
    Dapsone gel - verum
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2013-09
    Completion
    2019-11
    Enrolment
    20

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

    ConditionLichen Simples Chronicus and Prurigo
    InterventionDapsone gel - verum
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusUnknown
  • Aczone 5% Gel as Maintenance Treatment of Acne Vulgaris Following Completion of Oral Doxycycline and Aczone 5% Gel

    NCT01885910 · start 2013-07

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01885910
    Conditions
    Acne Vulgaris
    Interventions
    Doxycycline 100mg; Aczone 5% gel
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2013-07
    Completion
    2014-07
    Enrolment
    32

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

    ConditionAcne Vulgaris
    InterventionDoxycycline 100mg; Aczone 5% gel
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Virgin Coconut Oil Oral Supplementation for Leprosy Patients

    NCT01885611 · start 2013-06

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01885611
    Conditions
    Hansen's Disease
    Interventions
    Multi-Drug Therapy (Novartis Ⓡ); Virgin Coconut Oil
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1 / Phase 2
    Registry status
    Withdrawn
    Start
    2013-06
    Completion
    2018-06
    Enrolment
    0

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

    ConditionHansen's Disease
    InterventionMulti-Drug Therapy (Novartis Ⓡ); Virgin Coconut Oil
    PhasePhase 1 / Phase 2
    Registry statusWithdrawn
  • Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Dapsone in Acne Vulgaris

    NCT01773122 · start 2013-01-21

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01773122
    Conditions
    Acne Vulgaris
    Interventions
    Dapsone Formulation A; Dapsone Formulation B; Dapsone Formulation C; Dapsone 5% Gel
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2013-01-21
    Completion
    2013-05-05
    Enrolment
    77

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

    ConditionAcne Vulgaris
    InterventionDapsone Formulation A; Dapsone Formulation B; Dapsone Formulation C; Dapsone 5% Gel
    PhasePhase 1
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Clinical Evaluation of a New Form of Cancer Therapy (Atavistic Chemotherapy) Based on the Principles of Atavistic Metamorphosis (2011)

    NCT02366884 · start 2011-07-26

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT02366884
    Conditions
    Neoplasms
    Interventions
    Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Fungal Agents; Anti-Protozoal Agents
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2011-07-26
    Completion
    2023-12-31
    Enrolment
    250

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

    ConditionNeoplasms
    InterventionAnti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Fungal Agents; Anti-Protozoal Agents
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusUnknown
  • A Study That Evaluates the Decrease in Irritation When Using Additional Acne Treatment Products

    NCT01313728 · start 2010-12

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01313728
    Conditions
    Acne Vulgaris
    Interventions
    Dapsone plus Tretinoin Gel; Tretinoin Gel
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2010-12
    Completion
    2011-01
    Enrolment
    26

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

    ConditionAcne Vulgaris
    InterventionDapsone plus Tretinoin Gel; Tretinoin Gel
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted
  • A Study Comparing Aczone® Plus Differin® Versus Duac® Plus Differin® in Patients With Severe Facial Acne

    NCT01231334 · start 2010-08

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01231334
    Conditions
    Acne Vulgaris
    Interventions
    Dapsone plus Adapalene; Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide plus Adapalene
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2010-08
    Completion
    2011-06
    Enrolment
    286

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

    ConditionAcne Vulgaris
    InterventionDapsone plus Adapalene; Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide plus Adapalene
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Use of Dapsone Gel, 5% for Treating Dermatitis Herpetiformis

    NCT01115244 · start 2010-07

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01115244
    Conditions
    Dermatitis Herpetiformis
    Interventions
    Dapsone gel, 5%
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Terminated
    Start
    2010-07
    Completion
    2012-03
    Enrolment
    1

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

    ConditionDermatitis Herpetiformis
    InterventionDapsone gel, 5%
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusTerminated
  • Effect of Weight and/or Obesity on Dapsone Drug Concentrations

    NCT01165840 · start 2010-07

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01165840
    Conditions
    Obesity; Leprosy; Tuberculosis
    Interventions
    Dapsone
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2010-07
    Completion
    2012-05
    Enrolment
    37

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

    ConditionObesity; Leprosy; Tuberculosis
    InterventionDapsone
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Dapsone for Acute Ischemia Stroke Study

    NCT01144650 · start 2009-07

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT01144650
    Conditions
    Cerebral Stroke; Cerebrovascular Accident, Acute; Cerebrovascular Stroke; Stroke, Acute; Stroke
    Interventions
    Dapsone; Placebo
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2 / Phase 3
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2009-07
    Completion
    2010-11
    Enrolment
    300

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

    ConditionCerebral Stroke; Cerebrovascular Accident, Acute; Cerebrovascular Stroke; Stroke, Acute +1 more
    InterventionDapsone; Placebo
    PhasePhase 2 / Phase 3
    Registry statusUnknown
  • Dapsone Gel 5% and Tazarotene Cream 0.1% Versus Tazarotene Cream 0.1% Monotherapy for Facial Acne Vulgaris

    NCT00834210 · start 2008-12

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00834210
    Conditions
    Acne Vulgaris
    Interventions
    Dapsone; Tazarotene
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2008-12
    Completion
    2009-09
    Enrolment
    171

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

    ConditionAcne Vulgaris
    InterventionDapsone; Tazarotene
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted