Combined dapsone and clofazimine intoxication

Abstract

We report clinical findings and pharmacokinetic data regarding a combined dapsone and clofazimine intoxication in a man, who ingested 50 tablets of dapsone (100 mg) 20 capsules of clofazimine (100 mg) and two tablets of rifampicin (600 mg). Oral administration of activated charcoal (50 grams) and sodium sulphate (20 grams) after gastric lavage resulted in an elimination half-life in plasma of 11.1 and 10.8 h for dapsone and its main metabolite, monoacetyldapsone, respectively. A rapid initial decrease of the plasma concentration of clofazimine was observed after gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal and sodium sulphate. 15 h after this treatment, clofazimine plasma levels remained relatively constant. Dapsone-induced methaemoglobinaemia (48% at admission) was treated successfully with methylene blue.