Two medicines, side by side
Dapsone vs azelaic acid
Dapsone and azelaic acid are both labeled for acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dapsone since 2005 and of azelaic acid since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.664 per gram (Dapsone 5% gel) and $0.441 per gram (Azelaic acid 15% gel) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the dapsone FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 20, 2026); the azelaic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 11, 2021).
Highlights of the dapsone record
Dapsone (Aczone) · label of July 20, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsDermatitis herpetiformis: (D.H.) Leprosy: All forms of leprosy except for cases of proven dapsone resistance.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 7, 2005
- Generic labelers
- 27 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.664 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the azelaic acid record
Azelaic acid (Finacea) · label of November 11, 2021
Used for
From the label: indicationsAzelaic acid gel, 15% is indicated for topical treatment of the inflammatory papules and pustules of mild to moderate rosacea. Azelaic acid gel, 15% is indicated for topical treatment of the inflammatory papules and pustules of mild to moderate rosacea ( 1 ). Limitations of Use Efficacy for treatment of erythema in rosacea in the absence of papules and pustules has not been evaluated. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 13, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 5 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.441 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dapsone label of July 20, 2026, Azelaic acid label of November 11, 2021); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dapsone and azelaic acid differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Dapsone, “in Dermatitis herpetiformis has not been established.”; Azelaic acid, “The mechanism(s) by which azelaic acid interferes with the pathogenic events in rosacea are unknown.”
Generics: dapsone since 1979; azelaic acid since 2018 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dapsone | Azelaic acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acne | Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Sulfone | n/a |
| How it works (label) | in Dermatitis herpetiformis has not been established. By the kinetic method in mice, Dapsone is bactericidal as well as bacteriostatic against Mycobacterium leprae. | The mechanism(s) by which azelaic acid interferes with the pathogenic events in rosacea are unknown. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 7, 2005 | September 13, 1995 |
| First generic approved | July 3, 1979 | November 19, 2018 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 27 labelers | 5 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.664 per gram (Dapsone 5% gel) | $0.441 per gram (Azelaic acid 15% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -36% | -32% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 10,643 | 939 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to dapsone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions