Sulfasalazine
Information about Sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine uses
Sulfasalazine is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and ankylosing spondylitis.
How sulfasalazine works
Sulfasalazine is a Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatoid Drug (DMARD). It works by suppressing the overactivity of the immune system in autoimmune diseases and blocks the chemical messengers that cause inflammation (swelling).
Common side effects of sulfasalazine
Headache, Nausea, Oligospermia (low sperm count), Vomiting, Decreased appetite, Decreased white blood cell count, Dizziness, Fever, Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), Itching, Joint pain, Low blood platelets, Photosensitivity, Protein in urine, Rash, Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth), Taste change, Dyspepsia, Depression, Convulsion, Vasculitis, Vertigo, Hair loss, Facial swelling, Abnormal liver function tests, Aplastic anemia, Agranulocytosis (deficiency of granulocytes in the blood), Purpura, Hepatitis (viral infection of liver), Pancreatic inflammation, Erythema multiforme, Epidermal necrolysis, Urinary tract infection, Urine discoloration, Skin discoloration
Available Medicine for Sulfasalazine
Expert advice for Sulfasalazine
- Take it with food to avoid an upset stomach.
- It may take 6-8 weeks for Sulfasalazine to work. Keep taking it as prescribed.
- Drink plenty of fluids while taking Sulfasalazine in order to avoid kidney problems such as kidney stones.
- It may cause a deficiency of folic acid. Take the supplements as suggested by the doctor.
- Do not take Sulfasalazine if you are allergic to sulfa drugs or aspirin.
- It may discolour your skin, urine, saliva and tears an orange/yellow colour. This is normal and not harmful.
- Regular blood tests to monitor your liver function, kidney function, and the levels of your blood components are required while taking this medicine.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Frequently asked questions for Sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine
Q. Is Sulfasalazine a steroid or a painkiller?
Sulfasalazine is neither a steroid nor a painkiller. It is an anti-inflammatory medicine. It is used to treat and manage ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in which the intestines become inflamed (swelling of intestines). It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (painful joint disease).
Q. What is Sulfasalazine and what is it used for?
Sulfasalazine belongs to a group of medicines called aminosalicylates. It is an anti-inflammatory disease and is used to treat bowel inflammation, diarrhea (stool frequency), rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, it helps prevent damage to the joints and works slowly to reduce swelling and stiffness in your joints.
Q. I have been prescribed Sulfasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis. When can I expect the pain in joints to be better?
Sulfasalazine does not work right away. It takes about 6 to 12 weeks to deliver the full effect.You may start feeling better in 4 weeks after starting Sulfasalazine, but it can vary from person to person and some of the patients may notice improvement after 3 months. Consumption of medicine should not be stopped without consulting your doctor.