Summary

We present a case of acquired methaemoglobinaemia related to the prolonged use of dapsone in a patient with chronic hypoxia. The patient was initially successfully treated for infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, he remained persistently hypoxic on pulse oximetry despite a normal PaO₂ on arterial blood gas sampling. His fraction of methaemoglobin (FMetHb) was found to be elevated at 13%. After cessation of dapsone, his clinical cyanosis recuperated, his exercise tolerance and functional capacity improved and his FMetHb normalised to 1%.