Dapsone (25 mg and 100 mg): Brand change

Brand change Active

The brand of dapsone is changing to Dapsomed. The 25 mg tablet will no longer be available, a 50 mg will be funded instead.

Dapsomed is the new brand

From 1 October 2026, Dapsomed will be funded. Dapsomed contains the same active ingredient in the same amount. It is designed to work in the body the same way. 

This brand change resulted from the discontinuation of the 25 mg Dapsone tablets.

The 50mg Dapsomed box is blue and white, the 100mg is red and white. The 50mg tablet is 5mm, compared to 7mm for 100mg.
Dapsomed boxes, blister packs, and tablets.

Key changes

25 mg tablet no longer available

Following the discontinuation, we could not find a supplier for a 25 mg dapsone tablet. We have listed a 50 mg tablet in its place. The 50 mg tablet can be

  • halved easily to give a 25 mg dose 
  • crushed or
  • dissolved in water.  

We sought feedback about our options in June 2026. Respondents raised no concerns about the brand change, but sought clear communication about the 25 mg tablet replacement.

Blister not bottle pack

Dapsomed comes in blister packs, rather than a bottle. 

Small amount of lactose

Dapsomed contains lactose as one of its inactive ingredients. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate the small amounts of lactose used in medicines without experiencing symptoms. 

About inactive ingredients | Healthify(external link) 

Key dates

1 September 2026 | Dapsone Rising 25 mg funded as a temporary alternative

1 October 2026 | 50 mg and 100 mg Dapsomed tablets funded

1 March 2027 | Dapsone and Dapsone Rising brands stop being funded.

Temporary 25 mg alternative

.
Dapsone Rising bottle label

The original supplier found an alternative to ensure people can continue to access treatment until Dapsomed is available

It was funded and available to order from 1 September 2026. Medsafe has not reviewed it so it must be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29A of the Medicines Act. 

  • Presentation: Tab 25 mg
  • Brand: Dapsone Rising
  • Pharmacode: 2736284
  • Measure / Qty: per 100

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29A of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people when there is supply issue affecting the registered brand. 

We know supplying an unapproved medicine is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow people to continue to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 and 29A medicines – Medsafe website (external link)

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)

Information for pharmacists

To recognise your A brand switch fee will apply from 1 March 2027 until 1 June 2027.

More about brand switch fees

Pharmacodes

Dapsone (Dapsomed) tablets

  • 50 mg Pharmacode: 2734621
  • 100 mg Pharmacode: 2736276

Who to contact

If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.

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