DAPSONE SYNDROME IN CUTANEOUS LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Dapsone is increasingly used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. I t is indicated in many inflammatory skin conditions characterized by p olymorphonuclear cell infiltration. Minor reactions to the drug are ve ry common, but severe idiosyncratic reactions are rare considering the large number of patients taking this drug worldwide. We describe 2 pa tients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus who developed severe dapsone reaction after low dose therapy, with a fatal outcome in one, Physici ans should be aware of the potentially lethal side effects of dapsone.