Drug interactions
Dapsone + Sodium nitroprusside
Severity: Moderate
Dapsone and Sodium nitroprusside: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both nitroprusside and dapsone can cause methemoglobinemia, so combined use can raise methemoglobin levels and impair oxygen delivery. Topical dapsone has low systemic absorption, so the risk is greatest with oral dapsone, high doses or prolonged nitroprusside infusion.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dapsone and Sodium nitroprusside can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Dapsone belongs to Anti Bacterial; Sodium nitroprusside belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive oxidation of hemoglobin to methemoglobin by both agents (nitric oxide release from nitroprusside, hydroxylamine metabolites of dapsone).
What to do
Monitor methemoglobin by co-oximetry if the patient develops cyanosis, low or unreliable pulse oximetry or dyspnea; treat with methylene blue if symptomatic, and prefer avoiding oral dapsone during nitroprusside infusion.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Sodium nitroprusside
Other interactions of Dapsone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dapsone Major
- Dapsone + Primaquine Major
- Apalutamide + Dapsone Moderate
- Belzutifan + Dapsone Moderate
- Bosentan + Dapsone Moderate
- Bupivacaine implant + Dapsone Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dapsone with Sodium nitroprusside?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dapsone and Sodium nitroprusside can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both nitroprusside and dapsone can cause methemoglobinemia, so combined use can raise methemoglobin levels and impair oxygen delivery. Topical dapsone has low systemic absorption, so the risk is greatest with oral dapsone, high doses or prolonged nitroprusside infusion.
How serious is the interaction between Dapsone and Sodium nitroprusside?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor methemoglobin by co-oximetry if the patient develops cyanosis, low or unreliable pulse oximetry or dyspnea; treat with methylene blue if symptomatic, and prefer avoiding oral dapsone during nitroprusside infusion.
What other medicines interact with Sodium nitroprusside?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sodium nitroprusside with, for example, Avanafil, Nitric oxide, Sildenafil. The full list is on the Sodium nitroprusside page.
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