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, Photosensitivity, Protein in urine, Rash, Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth), Taste change, Dyspepsia
CONTENT DETAILS
Written By
MDS, BDS
Reviewed By
MBA, MD Pharmacology
Last updated
13 Jun 2023 | 11:25 AM (UTC)

We provide you with authentic, trustworthy and revelant information

Want to know more

Available Medicine for Sulfasalazine

SaazIpca Laboratories Ltd
52 to ₹1753 variant(s)
SalazarZydus Cadila
52 to ₹1912 variant(s)
SalazedJagsonpal Pharmaceuticals Ltd
501 variant(s)
DalazosazChemo Biological
481 variant(s)
SulfasafeActus Health Care
1311 variant(s)
ConisazzNovalab Healthcare Pvt Ltd
431 variant(s)
Sazo ENWallace Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd
1801 variant(s)
CronazarDaxia Healthcare
44 to ₹1202 variant(s)
SFZTBG pharma ltd
74 to ₹1492 variant(s)
SulfasoftMedisoft Pharma
3751 variant(s)

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.

Q. For how long do I need to take Sulfasalazine?

If you are able to tolerate Sulfasalazine which means the side effects do not bother you, then you have to continue Sulfasalazine till the disease remains in remission. It is better to take Sulfasalazine for the prescribed period.

Q. Does the use of Sulfasalazine for the treatment of arthritis affect the kidney function?

Though it is uncommon, Sulfasalazine may affect your kidney function. Therefore, it is important that your kidney function remains normal before you start taking Sulfasalazine. If during treatment with Sulfasalazine your kidney functions become abnormal, you should consult your doctor.

Q. Do I need to get any blood tests done while on Sulfasalazine therapy?

Your doctor will advise you blood tests to check your blood cell counts and your kidney function before starting your treatment and regularly during treatment. The tests should also be done to measure substances produced by your liver known as enzymes (liver function tests) and urine for protein and blood before you start treatment and at regular intervals.

Q. Can Sulfasalazine affect my fertility?

Decreased sperm count and infertility have been reported in some males. These may disappear once Sulfasalazine is discontinued.

Q. Can I take azathioprine along with Sulfasalazine?

You should avoid using Sulfasalazine with azathioprine since there are chances of decrease in blood cell count, which can be a serious side effect.

INDIA’S LARGEST HEALTHCARE PLATFORM

260m+
Visitors
31m+
Orders Delivered
1800+
Cities
Get the link to download App
Reliable

All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies. All labs listed on the platform are accredited

Secure

Tata 1mg uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption and is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant

Affordable

Find affordable medicine substitutes, save up to 50% on health products, up to 80% off on lab tests and free doctor consultations.

LegitScript approved
India's only LegitScript and ISO/ IEC 27001:2022 certified online healthcare platform

Know more about Tata 1mgdownArrow

Access medical and health information

Tata 1mg provides you with medical information which is curated, written and verified by experts, accurate and trustworthy. Our experts create high-quality content about medicines, diseases, lab investigations, Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products, Ayurvedic herbs/ingredients, and alternative remedies.

Order medicines online

Get free medicine home delivery in over 1800 cities across India. You can also order Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and other Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products. Your safety is our top priority. All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies.

Book lab tests

Book any lab tests and preventive health packages from certified labs and get tested from the comfort of your home. Enjoy free home sample collection, view reports online and consult a doctor online for free.

Consult a doctor online

Got a health query? Consult doctors online from the comfort of your home for free. Chat privately with our registered medical specialists to connect directly with verified doctors. Your privacy is guaranteed.