Diaminodiphenyl Sulfone in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Abstract
Diaminodiphenyl sulfone* (DDS) is by no means a new drug. This compound has been known to have antibacterial properties for more than 20 years. It has been used extensively in the treatment of leprosy since 1949. Good results have been reported in the treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis with DDS by European authors,1,2 but, to the best of our knowledge, only 2 reports have been published in the American literature.3,4 We have used DDS, 200 mg. daily, as the initial dose in 27 dermatologic patients. Of these, 12 were diagnosed as having dermatitis herpetiformis; the results obtained in this group are reported in the Table. Six of these patients had taken other drugs often beneficial in dermatitis herpetiformis (sodium sulfoxone [Diasone], Promacetin,† sulfapyridine, other "sulfas") prior to being given DDS. Of these 6 patients, 5 experienced better relief with DDS than with previous drug therapy (see doses in the