Sulfasalazine

Sulfasalazine is used to treat bowel inflammation, diarrhea (stool frequency), rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain in patients with ulcerative colitis, a condition in which the bowel is inflamed. Sulfasalazine delayed-release (Azulfidine EN-tabs) is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children whose disease has not responded well to other medications. Sulfasalazine is in a class of medications called anti-inflammatory drugs. It works by reducing inflammation (swelling) inside the body.

Sulfasalazine comes as regular and delayed-release (enteric-coated) tablets. It usually is taken four times a day in evenly spaced doses throughout the day so that no more than 8 hours separates any two doses, if possible. Take sulfasalazine after a meal or with a light snack, then drink a full glass of water. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sulfasalazine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow tablets whole; do not crush or chew them. Drink plenty of fluids (at least six to eight glasses of water or other beverage per day) while taking sulfasalazine. Continue to take sulfasalazine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sulfasalazine without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Sulfasalazine may cause side effects. Sulfasalazine causes temporary infertility in males. Fertility returns when the medicine is stopped. It can also cause your urine or skin to turn yellowish-orange; this effect is harmless.Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
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diarrhea</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
stomach pain</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking sulfasalazine and call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
skin rash</li>
<li>
itching</li>
<li>
hives</li>
<li>
swelling</li>
<li>
sore throat</li>
<li>
fever</li>
<li>
joint or muscle aches</li>
<li>
pale or yellow skin</li>
<li>
difficulty swallowing</li>
<li>
tiredness</li>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
<li>
weakness</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking sulfasalazine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfasalazine, sulfapyridine, aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Triosal, Trilisate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Rowasa), salsalate (Argesic-SA, Disalcid, Salgesic, others), sulfa drugs, trisalicylate (Tricosal, Trilisate),or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially digoxin (Lanoxin), folic acid, and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, kidney or liver disease, porphyria, blood problems, or blockage in your intestine or urinary tract. plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Sulfasalazine may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.