Two medicines, side by side
Dapsone vs benzoyl peroxide
Dapsone and benzoyl peroxide are both labeled for acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dapsone since 2005 and of benzoyl peroxide since 2022. Pharmacies paid $0.664 per gram (Dapsone 5% gel) and $0.0469 per gram (Benzoyl peroxide 10% wash) (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 benzoyl peroxide FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026).
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 benzoyl peroxide record
Benzoyl peroxide (Epsolay) · label of July 31, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsfor the treatment of acne
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 22, 2022
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0469 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dapsone label of July 20, 2026, Benzoyl peroxide label of July 31, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dapsone and benzoyl peroxide differ on the record?
Generics: dapsone since 1979; benzoyl peroxide none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Dapsone | Benzoyl peroxide | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 7, 2005 | April 22, 2022 |
| First generic approved | July 3, 1979 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 27 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.664 per gram (Dapsone 5% gel) | $0.0469 per gram (Benzoyl peroxide 10% wash) |
| 12-month price change | -36% | +5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 10,643 | 6,709 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Dapsone label, drug interactionsTopical benzoyl peroxide used at the same time as ACZONE Gel, 7.5% may result in temporary local yellow or orange skin discoloration ( 7.2 ).
Dapsone label, drug interactionsTopical benzoyl peroxide used at the same time as dapsone may result in temporary local yellow or orange skin discoloration ( 7.2 ).
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to dapsone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions