Two medicines, side by side
Dapsone vs clindamycin
Dapsone and clindamycin are both labeled for acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dapsone since 2005 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.664 per gram (Dapsone 5% gel) and $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, dapsone is a sulfone and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the dapsone FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 20, 2026); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 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 clindamycin record
Clindamycin (Cleocin) · label of March 10, 2026
Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin hydrochloride and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.
Used for
From the label: indicationsClindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin is also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 22, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 60 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.137 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 24
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dapsone label of July 20, 2026, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dapsone and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, dapsone is a sulfone and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: dapsone since 1979; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dapsone | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acne | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Sulfone | Lincosamide Antibacterial |
| 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 | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 7, 2005 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | July 3, 1979 | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 27 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.664 per gram (Dapsone 5% gel) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -36% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 10,643 | 8,968 |
| 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