Two medicines, side by side
Dapsone vs tretinoin
Dapsone and tretinoin are both labeled for acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dapsone since 2005 and of tretinoin since 1971. Pharmacies paid $0.664 per gram (Dapsone 5% gel) and $0.506 per gram (Tretinoin 0.025% cream) (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 tretinoin a retinoid.
Check it at the source: the dapsone FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 20, 2026); the tretinoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 17, 2024).
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 tretinoin record
Tretinoin (Retin-A) · label of May 17, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsRETIN-A is indicated for topical application in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The safety and efficacy of the long-term use of this product in the treatment of other disorders have not been established.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 20, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.506 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dapsone label of July 20, 2026, Tretinoin label of May 17, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dapsone and tretinoin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, dapsone is a sulfone and tretinoin a retinoid.
Generics: dapsone since 1979; tretinoin since 1998 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dapsone | Tretinoin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acne | Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Sulfone | Retinoid |
| 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 | October 20, 1971 |
| First generic approved | July 3, 1979 | June 19, 1998 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 27 labelers | 23 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.664 per gram (Dapsone 5% gel) | $0.506 per gram (Tretinoin 0.025% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -36% | -49% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 10,643 | 8,069 |
| 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