Dapsone-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a rare complication of dapsone therapy. This neuropathy appears primarily to be of the motor type, and recovery occurs on discontinuation of the drug therapy. The patient in this report developed a marked motor deficit as well as a selective marked loss of vibration sense shortly after the initiation of a relatively low dose of dapsone. Recovery was rapid on cessation of the therapy. This patient was found to be a slow acetylator of isoniazid, and therefore is probably a slow acetylator of dapsone. The possible mechanisms of the neurotoxicity of dapsone and the role of altered metabolism are discussed.