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Sulfasalazine
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Description
Sulfasalazine is a medicine used in the treatment of Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It may also be used for the treatment of advanced arthritic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet) and spondylitis (a condition that causes swelling and stiffness of joints between the vertebrae, the bones that make up the spinal cord.) which do not respond to normal treatments.
Sulfasalazine can cause some side effects like weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, stomach upset and diarrhoea. It should be taken with food to reduce the chances of you getting stomach upset, indigestion and other side effects. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it or if you are allergic to aspirin.
Sulfasalazine is not suitable for you if you have anaemia, asthma, liver or kidney problems. It is advised that you drink plenty of fluids to prevent the formation of kidney stones. Do not consume alcohol while on treatment with this medicine. Consult your doctor before using Sulfasalazine if you are pregnant. It is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding as it can pass through milk. It can cause a low sperm count in men, which is reversible. This medicine is not recommended for use in children less than 2 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Sulfasalazine
Joint pain
Skin rash and itching
Headache
Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
Bleeding from nose
Dark colored urine
Sore throat
Abdominal pain
Weight loss
Fever
Loss of appetite
Uses of Sulfasalazine
What is it prescribed for?
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease that causes inflammation( swelling and irritation) in your digestive tract. Sulfasalazine is used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder (a condition where the body's immunity targets and harms the body itself) that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in your joints. Sulfasalazine is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract. It causes abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and malnutrition. Sulfasalazine is used for the treatment of Crohn's disease.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The amount of time required for Sulfasalazine to show its action is not known.Duration of effect
The time until which Sulfasalazine remains active in the body is not known.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency has been reported for Sulfasalazine.Usage in pregnancy?
Sulfasalazine is not recommended to be used in pregnancy unless necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.Usage while breast-feeding?
Sulfasalazine is not recommended to be used in breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary as it can pass into the breastmilk and may harm your infant. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Sulfasalazine is not recommended for use if you are allergic to sulfasalazine or any other ingredients present in the formulation. Seek immediate medical help if you notice allergic symptoms like swelling of the face, especially around the eyes.
Patients with intestinal and urinary obstruction
Sulfasalazine is not recommended to be used if you have a history of intestinal and urinary obstruction (blockage) due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Porphyria
Sulfasalazine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of porphyria, which is a hereditary condition affecting the nervous system and skin as it may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Sulfasalazine is not recommended to be used in pregnancy unless necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Sulfasalazine is not recommended to be used in breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary as it can pass into the breastmilk and may harm your infant. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Blood dyscrasias.
Sulfasalazine is not recommended for use if you have blood disorders due to the increased risk of serious side effects. It is advised that inform your doctor about all your medical conditions before taking this medicine.
Liver disease
Use Sulfasalazine with caution if you have a pre-existing liver problem. Your doctor may monitor your liver function closely and adjust the dose of this medicine if required based on your condition.
Oligospermia and infertility
Sulfasalazine can cause a low sperm count. It should be used with caution in men due to the increased risk of impotence. This condition can be reversed by stopping the use of Sulfasalazine
Haemolytic anaemia
Sulfasalazine may cause haemolytic anaemia if you have a glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (a genetic disorder that most often affects males). This condition causes the breakdown of red blood cells in response to certain medications, infections or other stresses. Your doctor may suggest tests to estimate your complete blood count during the treatment with this medicine.
Use in children
Sulfasalazine is not recommended for use in children less than 2 years of age since the safety and efficacy data is not available. Its delayed-release form can be used from ages 6 years and above.
Missed Dose
If a dose of Sulfasalazine is missed, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose with Sulfasalazine.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Methotrexate
Digoxin
Insulin
Diclofenac
Azathioprine
Folic Acid
Etodolac
Glimepiride
Disease interactions
Hematologic toxicity
Sulfasalazine is not recommended if you have a known history of blood disorders due to the increased risk of serious side effects. Inform your doctor about all your medical conditions before taking this medicine.
Liver disease
Use Sulfasalazine with caution if you have pre-existing liver problems. Your doctor may monitor your liver function closely and adjust the dose of this medicine if required based on your condition.
Kidney diseases
Use Sulfasalazine with caution if you have a pre-existing kidney problem due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may monitor your kidney function closely and adjust the dose of this medicine if required based on your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Sulfasalazine as directed by the doctor. It is recommended to take this medicine with food to avoid any indigestion. Drink plenty of water to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Do not take more or fewer doses than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. It may cause your skin, urine, saliva and tears to turn orange. Do not worry as this is normal.
It may take 6-8 weeks for it to show its effects. Do not stop using this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Sulfasalazine is a Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatoid Drug (DMARD). It works by limiting the activity of the immune system and blocking the actions of substances that cause inflammation (swelling).
Legal Status
Classification
Category
5-aminosalicylates, Antirheumatics
Schedule
Schedule H
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Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - SULFASALAZINE tablet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 15 September 2021].
Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2021. TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 15 September 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Sulfasalazine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 15 September 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 15 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - SULFASALAZINE tablet, delayed release. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 20 September 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Salazopyrin En-Tabs - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 20 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 24 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.