Dapsone-Induced Hypoxia

Dapsone is a common medication that is utilized in the treatment of dermatological conditions, pneumocystis pneumonia, and toxoplasmosis. Methemoglobinemia is a known but rare complication of dapsone therapy that can result in cyanosis. We present a case of a patient on dapsone therapy who developed hypoxia due to methemoglobinemia. This case emphasizes the importance of knowledge of drugs likely to cause methemoglobinemia which requires clinicians to have a high degree of suspicion especially when the patient's oxygen saturation does not improve with treatment.

Keywords: dapsone; drug-related side effects and adverse reactions; hypoxia; methemoglobinemia.