General Description
Sulfoxone (diaminodiphenylsulfone sodium methanesulfonate) is the sodium methanesulfonate salt of sulfoxone, which is itself the methanesulfonylmethyl derivative of dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone). It is a water-soluble prodrug precursor to dapsone with antimycobacterial and anti-inflammatory activity.
Mechanism of Action
Sulfoxone is hydrolyzed in vivo to dapsone, which inhibits dihydropteroate synthase in susceptible bacteria by competing with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), disrupting folate biosynthesis. Dapsone also exerts anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of myeloperoxidase and neutrophil function.
Application
Indicated for the treatment of leprosy and dermatitis herpetiformis. Sulfoxone is a water-soluble prodrug of dapsone with antimycobacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, hydrolyzed in vivo to dapsone which inhibits folate biosynthesis and suppresses neutrophil-mediated inflammation.