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Aczone

dapsone · Gel

Prescription NDA TE AB RLD Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Aczone
Generic name
dapsone
Dosage form
Gel
Route
Topical
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
Almirall, LLC
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
2
NDC product codes
2
Packages
6
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Dapsone 50 mg/g 197557 View
Dapsone 75 mg/g 197557 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Gel
Route of administration
Topical
Presentations
8

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Sulfone [EPC] EPC 3 members — no class page
Sulfones [CS] CS 3 members — no class page

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
207154
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
February 24, 2016
Sponsor
ALMIRALL
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
3
Products approved under application 207154.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
207154-001 ACZONE GEL DAPSONE Prescription AB RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Patents and exclusivity

Source: Orange Book
Patent listings submitted under 21 U.S.C. 355(b)(1) and (c)(2).
Patent Expires Product Substance Use code Submitted
11273132 November 18, 2033 001 No March 28, 2022

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 207154.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 4 Efficacy Approved September 10, 2019 Priority
Supplement 3 Labeling Approved May 18, 2018 Standard
Original application 1 Type 5 - New Formulation or New Manufacturer Approved February 24, 2016 Standard

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · September 12, 2019
  • 0 · Supplement · September 11, 2019
  • 0 · Supplement · May 24, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · May 22, 2018
  • 0 · Original application · December 2, 2016
  • 0 · Original application · February 26, 2016
  • 0 · Original application · February 26, 2016
  • 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900
  • 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900
  • 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900
  • 0 · Supplement · January 1, 1900
  • 0 · Supplement · January 1, 1900

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20251023). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20251023 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20180528

Recent Major Changes

openFDA Drug Labeling

Indications and Usage ( 1 ) 09/2019

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ACZONE ® (dapsone) Gel, 7.5%, is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older. ACZONE ® Gel, 7.5%, is a sulfone indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older ( 1 ).

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For topical use only. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. After the skin is gently washed and patted dry, apply approximately a pea-sized amount of ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, in a thin layer to the entire face once daily. In addition, a thin layer may be applied to other affected areas once daily. Rub in ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, gently and completely. If there is no improvement after 12 weeks, treatment with ACZONE Gel, 7.5% should be reassessed. Apply once daily ( 2 ). Apply approximately a pea-sized amount of ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, in a thin layer to the entire face. A thin layer can also be applied to other affected areas ( 2 ). If there is no improvement after 12 weeks, treatment with ACZONE Gel, 7.5% should be reassessed ( 2 ). For topical use only. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use ( 2 ).

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Gel, 7.5%. Each gram of ACZONE Gel, 7.5% contains 75 mg of dapsone in an off-white to yellow gel with suspended particles. Gel, 7.5% ( 3 ).

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 ).

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Methemoglobinemia: Cases of methemoglobinemia have been reported. Discontinue ACZONE Gel if signs of methemoglobinemia occur ( 5.1 ). Hemolysis: Some patients with Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency using topical dapsone developed laboratory changes suggestive of hemolysis ( 5.1 )( 8.6 ). 5.1 Hematological Effects Methemoglobinemia Cases of methemoglobinemia, with resultant hospitalization, have been reported postmarketing in association with twice daily dapsone gel, 5%, treatment. Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency or congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia are more susceptible to drug-induced methemoglobinemia. Avoid use of ACZONE Gel, 7.5% in those patients with congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia. Signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia may be delayed some hours after exposure. Initial signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia are characterized by a slate grey cyanosis seen in e.g., buccal mucous membranes, lips, and nail beds. Advise patients to discontinue ACZONE Gel, 7.5% and seek immediate medical attention in the event of cyanosis. Dapsone can cause elevated methemoglobin levels particularly in conjunction with methemoglobin-inducing agents [see Drug Interactions ( 7.4 )]. Hemolysis Oral dapsone treatment has produced dose-related hemolysis and hemolytic anemia. Individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are more prone to hemolysis with the use of certain drugs. G6PD deficiency is most prevalent in populations of African, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean ancestry. In clinical trials, there was no evidence of clinically relevant hemolysis or hemolytic anemia in subjects treated with topical dapsone. Some subjects with G6PD deficiency using dapsone gel, 5 %, twice daily developed laboratory changes suggestive of hemolysis [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )]. Discontinue ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, if signs and symptoms suggestive of hemolytic anemia occur. Avoid use of ACZONE Gel, 7.5% in patients who are taking oral dapsone or antimalarial medications because of the potential for hemolytic reactions. Combination of ACZONE Gel, 7.5%, with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) may increase the likelihood of hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . 5.2 Peripheral Neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy (motor loss and muscle weakness) has been reported with oral dapsone treatment. No events of peripheral neuropathy were observed in clinical trials with topical dapsone treatment. 5.3 Skin Reactions Skin reactions (toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, morbilliform and scarlatiniform reactions, bullous and exfoliative dermatitis, erythema nodosum, and urticaria) have been reported with oral dapsone treatment. These types of skin reactions were not observed in clinical trials with topical dapsone treatment.

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 10%) are oiliness/peeling, dryness and erythema at the application site ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Allergan at 1-800-678-1605 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Serious adverse reactions reported in subjects treated with ACZONE Gel, 5%, during clinical trials included but were not limited to the following: Nervous system/Psychiatric – Suicide attempt, tonic clonic movements. Gastrointestinal – Abdominal pain, severe vomiting, pancreatitis. Other – Severe pharyngitis In the clinical trials, a total of 12 out of 4032 subjects were reported to have depression (3 of 1660 treated with vehicle and 9 of 2372 treated with ACZONE Gel, 5%). Psychosis was reported in 2 of 2372 subjects treated with ACZONE Gel, 5%, and in 0 of 1660 subjects treated with vehicle. Combined contact sensitization/irritation studies with ACZONE Gel, 5%, in 253 healthy subjects resulted in at least 3 subjects with moderate erythema. ACZONE Gel, 5%, did not induce phototoxicity or photoallergy in human dermal safety studies. ACZONE Gel, 5%, was evaluated for 12 weeks in four controlled trials for local cutaneous events in 1819 subjects. The most common events reported from these studies include oiliness/peeling, dryness, and erythema. These data are shown by severity in Table 1 below. Table 1 – Application Site Adverse Reactions by Maximum Severity ACZONE ® (N=1819) Vehicle (N=1660) Application Site Event Mild Moderate Severe Mild Moderate Severe Erythema 9% 5% <1% 9% 6% <1% Dryness 14% 3% <1% 14% 4% <1% Oiliness/Peeling 13% 6% <1% 15% 6% <1% The adverse reactions occurring in at least 1% of subjects in either arm in the four vehicle controlled trials are presented in Table 2. Table 2 – Adverse Reactions Occurring in at Least 1% of Subjects ACZONE ® N=1819 Vehicle N=1660 Application Site Reaction NOS 18% 20% Application Site Dryness 16% 17% Application Site Erythema 13% 14% Application Site Burning 1% 2% Application Site Pruritus 1% 1% Pyrexia 1% 1% Nasopharyngitis 5% 6% Upper Respiratory Tract Inf. NOS 3% 3% Sinusitis NOS 2% 1% Influenza 1% 1% Pharyngitis 2% 2% Cough 2% 2% Joint Sprain 1% 1% Headache NOS 4% 4% NOS = Not otherwise specified One subjects treated with ACZONE Gel in the clinical trials had facial swelling which led to discontinuation of medication. In addition, 486 subjects were evaluated in a 12 month safety trial. The adverse event profile in this trial was consistent with that observed in the vehicle-controlled trials. 6.2 Experience with Oral Use of Dapsone Although not observed in the clinical trials with ACZONE Gel (topical dapsone) serious adverse reactions have been reported with oral use of dapsone, including agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, peripheral neuropathy (motor loss and muscle weakness), and skin reactions (toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, morbilliform and scarlatiniform reactions, bullous and exfoliative dermatitis, erythema nodosum, and urticaria). 6.3 Postmarketing Experience Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of topical dapsone: methemoglobinemia, rash (including erythematous rash, application site rash) and swelling of face (including lip swelling, eye swelling)

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) increases the level of dapsone and its metabolites ( 7.1 ). Topical benzoyl peroxide used at the same time as ACZONE may result in temporary local yellow or orange skin discoloration ( 7.2 ). 7.1 Trimethoprim-Sulf a methoxazole A drug-drug interaction study evaluated the effect of the use of ACZONE Gel, 5%, in combination with double strength (160 mg/800 mg) trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX). During co-administration, systemic levels of TMP and SMX were essentially unchanged. However, levels of dapsone and its metabolites increased in the presence of TMP/SMX. Systemic exposure (AUC 0-12 ) of dapsone and N-acetyl-dapsone (NAD) were increased by about 40% and 20% respectively in the presence of TMP/SMX. Notably, systemic exposure (AUC 0-12 ) of dapsone hydroxylamine (DHA) was more than doubled in the presence of TMP/SMX. Exposure from the proposed topical dose is about 1% of that from the 100 mg oral dose, even when co-administered with TMP/SMX. 7.2 Topical Benzoyl Peroxide Topical application of ACZONE Gel followed by benzoyl peroxide in subjects with acne vulgaris resulted in a temporary local yellow or orange discoloration of the skin and facial hair (reported by 7 out of 95 subjects in a clinical study) with resolution in 4 to 57 days. 7.3 Drug Interactions with Oral Dapsone Certain concomitant medications (such as rifampin, anticonvulsants, St. John’s wort) may increase the formation of dapsone hydroxylamine, a metabolite of dapsone associated with hemolysis. With oral dapsone treatment, folic acid antagonists such as pyrimethamine have been noted to possibly increase the likelihood of hematologic reactions. 7.4 Concomitant Use with Drugs that Induce Methemoglobinemia Concomitant use of ACZONE with drugs that induce methemoglobinemia such as sulfonamides, acetaminophen, acetanilide, aniline dyes, benzocaine, chloroquine, dapsone, naphthalene, nitrates and nitrites, nitrofurantoin, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, pamaquine, para‐aminosalicylic acid, phenacetin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primaquine, and quinine may increase the risk for developing methemoglobinemia [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] .

7.3 Drug Interactions with Oral Dapsone Certain concomitant medications (such as rifampin, anticonvulsants, St. John’s wort) may increase the formation of dapsone hydroxylamine, a metabolite of dapsone associated with hemolysis. With oral dapsone treatment, folic acid antagonists such as pyrimethamine have been noted to possibly increase the likelihood of hematologic reactions.

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on ACZONE Gel, 5%, use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for adverse developmental outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, oral doses of dapsone administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis that resulted in systemic exposures more than 250 times the systemic exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of ACZONE Gel, 5%, resulted in embryocidal effects. When orally administered to rats from the onset of organogenesis through the end of lactation at systemic exposures approximately 400 times the exposure at the MRHD, dapsone resulted in increased stillbirths and decreased pup weight [see Data] . The estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Dapsone has been shown to have an embryocidal effect in rats and rabbits when administered orally daily to females during organogenesis at dosages of 75 mg/kg/day and 150 mg/kg/day, respectively. These dosages resulted in systemic exposures that represented approximately 956 times [rats] and 289 times [rabbits] the systemic exposure observed in human females as a result of use of the MRHD of ACZONE Gel, 5%, based on AUC comparisons. These effects were probably secondary to maternal toxicity. Dapsone was assessed for effects on perinatal/postnatal pup development and postnatal maternal behavior and function in a study in which dapsone was orally administered to female rats daily beginning on the seventh day of gestation and continuing until the twenty-seventh day postpartum. Maternal toxicity (decreased body weight and food consumption) and developmental effects (increase in stillborn pups and decreased pup weight) were seen at a dapsone dose of 30 mg/kg/day (approximately 382 times the systemic exposure that is associated with the MRHD of ACZONE Gel, 5%, based on AUC comparisons). No effects were observed on the viability, physical development, behavior, learning ability, or reproductive function of surviving pups. 8. 2 Lactation Risk Summary There is no information regarding the presence of topical dapsone in breastmilk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Orally administered dapsone appears in human milk and could result in hemolytic anemia and hyperbilirubinemia especially in infants with G6PD deficiency. Systemic absorption of dapsone following topical application is minimal relative to oral dapsone administration; however, it is known that dapsone is present in human milk following administration of oral dapsone. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy was evaluated in 1169 children aged 12-17 years old treated with ACZONE Gel, 5%, in the clinical trials. The adverse event rate for ACZONE Gel, 5%, was similar to the vehicle control group. Safety and efficacy was not studied in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age, therefore ACZONE Gel, 5%, is not recommended for use in this age group. 8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical trials of ACZONE Gel, 5%, did not include sufficient number of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. 8.6 G6PD Deficiency ACZONE Gel, 5% and vehicle were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design clinical trial of 64 subjects with G6PD deficiency and acne vulgaris. Subjects were Black (88%), Asian (6%), Hispanic (2%) or of other racial origin (5%). Blood samples were taken at Baseline, Week 2, and Week 12 during both vehicle and ACZONE Gel, 5% treatment periods. There were 56 out of 64 subjects who had a Week 2 blood draw and applied at least 50% of treatment applications. Table 3 contains results from testing of relevant hematology parameters for these two treatment periods. ACZONE Gel w …

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action of dapsone gel in treating acne vulgaris is not known.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION ACZONE Gel, 5%, contains dapsone, a sulfone, in an aqueous gel base for topical dermatologic use. ACZONE Gel, 5% is a gritty translucent material with visible drug substance particles. Chemically, dapsone has an empirical formula of C 12 H 12 N 2 O 2 S. It is a white, odorless crystalline powder that has a molecular weight of 248. Dapsone’s chemical name is 4,4’-diaminodiphenylsulfone and its structural formula is: Each gram of ACZONE Gel, 5%, contains 50 mg of dapsone, USP, in a gel of carbomer homopolymer type C; diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, NF; methylparaben, NF; sodium hydroxide, NF; and purified water, USP. The structural formula for ACZONE Gel, 5%, contains dapsone, a sulfone, in an aqueous gel base for topical dermatologic use. ACZONE Gel, 5% is a gritty translucent material with visible drug substance particles. Chemically, dapsone has an empirical formula of C12H12N2O2S. It is a white, odorless crystalline powder that has a molecular weight of 248.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING ACZONE Gel is an off-white to yellow gel with suspended particles. It is supplied in an airless pump containing a polypropylene bottle with a high density polyethylene piston. ACZONE (dapsone) Gel, 7.5%, is supplied in the following sizes: NDC 16110-526-30 30 gram pump NDC 16110-526-60 60 gram pump NDC 16110-526-90 90 gram pump Storage : Store at 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F), excursions permitted to 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from freezing.

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
10,640
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: DAPSONE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
0023-3670-03 0023-3670 Allergan, Inc. 15 TUBE in 1 CARTON (0023-3670-03) / 3 g in 1 TUBE June 24, 2009
0023-3670-30 0023-3670 Allergan, Inc. 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (0023-3670-30) / 30 g in 1 TUBE June 24, 2009
0023-3670-60 0023-3670 Allergan, Inc. 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (0023-3670-60) / 60 g in 1 TUBE June 24, 2009
0023-3670-90 0023-3670 Allergan, Inc. 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (0023-3670-90) / 90 g in 1 TUBE June 24, 2009
16110-526-60 16110-526 Almirall, LLC 1 BOTTLE, PUMP in 1 CARTON (16110-526-60) / 60 g in 1 BOTTLE, PUMP September 10, 2019
16110-526-90 16110-526 Almirall, LLC 1 BOTTLE, PUMP in 1 CARTON (16110-526-90) / 90 g in 1 BOTTLE, PUMP September 10, 2019
0023-3670 0023-3670 Allergan, Inc. — June 24, 2009
16110-526 16110-526 Almirall, LLC — September 10, 2019

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.