dapsone topical vs nitrofurantoin
Side-by-side comparison of dapsone topical and nitrofurantoin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
7.4 Concomitant Use with Drugs that Induce Methemoglobinemia Concomitant use of ACZONE Gel, 7.5% with drugs that induce methemoglobinemia such as sulfonamides, acetaminophen, acetanilide, aniline dyes, benzocaine, chloroquine, dapsone, naphthalene, nitrates and nitrites, nitrofurantoin, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, pamaquine, para‐aminosalicylic acid, phenacetin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primaquine, and quinine may increase the risk for developing methemoglobinemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] .
Recommendation: Your doctor should monitor you closely for symptoms like headache, tiredness, or blue-tinted skin while using these drugs together.
Aczone
Macrobid, Macrodantin
Aczone Gel is a topical medicine used to treat acne. It helps reduce inflammation and kill bacteria that cause acne.
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic medicine. It is used to treat infections of the urinary tract.
Aczone Gel is used to treat acne in people ages 9 and older. It helps to clear up pimples and prevent new ones from forming. Use it as directed by your doctor.
This medicine treats urinary tract infections (UTIs). It works against certain bacteria like E. coli, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter. It is not for treating kidney infections or abscesses around the kidney.
Aczone Gel contains dapsone, which is a type of anti-inflammatory medicine. It works by reducing swelling and redness. It also kills certain bacteria that can cause acne.
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that stops bacteria from growing. It damages the bacteria's DNA, which kills the bacteria. This helps to clear up the infection in your urinary tract.
- • Dryness where you put the gel
- • Itching where you put the gel
- • Nausea
- • Headache
- • Vomiting
No adverse event reports.
- Urinary tract infection 1,301
- Tiredness 1,240
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,186
- Head pain 1,103
- Pain 964
Aczone Gel can cause a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia. If your skin turns bluish or grey, stop using Aczone Gel and get medical help right away. If you have a G6PD deficiency, talk to your doctor before using this medicine. It may cause blood problems.
This medicine can cause serious side effects. Rarely, it can cause deadly allergic reactions, lung problems, liver problems, and nerve damage. Tell your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing, yellowing of the skin, numbness, or tingling.
It is not known if Aczone Gel can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Aczone Gel passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
Do not take this medicine if you are 38-42 weeks pregnant or in labor. It could cause anemia in the baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to Read This dapsone topical vs nitrofurantoin Comparison
dapsone topical is classified in the Topical Anti-Inflammatory drug class, while nitrofurantoin sits within the Nitrofuran Antibiotic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, dapsone topical has 0 submissions while nitrofurantoin has 5,794. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to these medications both have the potential to change how your blood carries oxygen. using them at the same time makes it more likely you will develop a blood problem called methemoglobinemia.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between dapsone topical and nitrofurantoin - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.