Sulfasalazine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Sulfasalazine?

What is Sulfasalazine for?

Sulfasalazine is a drug used to treat a certain type of intestinal disease called ulcerative colitis. This medicine does not cure the condition, but helps relieve symptoms such as fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. After attacks are treated, sulfasalazine is also used to increase the period between attacks. This medication works by reducing irritation and swelling of the colon.

In addition, delayed-release sulfasalazine tablets are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Sulfasalazine helps relieve joint pain, swelling, and feeling stiff. Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with sulfasalazine can help / prevent further joint damage so that you can carry out your normal daily activities. This drug is used in conjunction with other drugs, rest, and physical therapy in patients who do not respond to other drugs (salicylates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs).

OTHER PURPOSES: This section contains the uses of drugs that are not on the list approved by the FDA but may be recommended by a health care professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed in this section if recommended by your Health care professional.

This medication can also be used to treat another type of bowel disease called Crohn's disease.

How to use Sulfasalazine?

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication after meals with a full glass of mineral water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) or as directed by your doctor. To prevent stomach upset, your doctor will recommend slowly increasing the dose of your medication at the start of treatment. The dosage is based on the medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dosage is also given based on body weight.

If you are on delayed-release tablets, swallow them completely. Do not crush, chew, or split. By doing so, stomach upsets are more likely to occur.

Drink plenty of fluids during treatment with this medicine unless otherwise advised by your doctor. This can help prevent kidney stones.

Take this medicine regularly to get maximum results. To help you remember, take the medication at the same time each day.

Tell your doctor if the condition does not improve or if it gets worse. For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, it takes approximately 1 to 3 months before your symptoms improve.

How to store Sulfasalazine?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Sulfasalazine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for Sulfasalazine for adults?

Standard adult dosage for Ulcerative Colitis - Active:

3 to 4 g / day orally in divided doses

Standard adult dosage for Ulcerative Colitis - Maintenance:

2 g / day orally in divided doses

Standard adult dosage for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Delayed-release tablets: 1000 mg taken twice daily

Recommended dosage regimen:

Week 1: 500 mg taken once a day at night

Week 2: 500 mg taken twice a day (morning and evening)

Week 3: 500 mg taken in the morning and 1000 mg at night

Week 4: 1000 mg taken twice a day (morning and evening)

Standard adult dosage for Crohn's Disease - Acute:

3 to 6 g / day orally in divided doses

Standard adult dosage for uveitis:

Study (n = 10) - Acute recurrent anterior uveitis

Initial dose: 500 mg / day, then increased to 500 mg / week

Maintenance dose: 1 g twice daily for one year; in case of recent flares, the dose is increased to 500 mg / week to 3 g / day

What is the dosage of Sulfasalazine for children?

Standardized pediatric dosage for Ulcerative Colitis:

6 years and over:

Initial treatment: 40 to 60 mg / kg / day orally in divided doses into 3 to 6 doses

Maintenance treatment: 30 mg / kg / day orally in 4 part doses

Standard pediatric dosage for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Delayed-release tablet:

6 years and over: 30 to 50 mg / kg / day orally in 2 equal parts doses

Maximum dose: 2 g / day (generally)

In what dosage is Sulfasalazine available?

Sulfasalazine is available in the following dosages.

500 mg tablet

Sulfasalazine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Sulfasalazine?

Seek medical help immediately if you experience an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using sulfasalazine and call your doctor if you experience serious side effects:

• Fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms
• Pale skin, easy bruising
• Dark, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Pain or feeling hot when urinating
• Urinating less frequently than usual
• It looks like the tablets are intact in your stool
• Fever, sore throat and headache accompanied by blistering, peeling skin and a red rash.

Other less serious side effects include:

• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness, feels spinning
• White patches or sores on your mouth or lips
• Hard to sleep
• Mild itching or a rash on the skin.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Sulfasalazine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Sulfasalazine?

In deciding to use this drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed carefully with the benefits that will be obtained later. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this remedy, here's what you need to consider:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had any different reactions or are allergic to this or any other medicine. And tell your doctor if you have certain allergies, such as to food, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the labels or ingredients on the packaging carefully.

Children

Further studies have not been conducted regarding the relationship between age and the effect of sulfasalazine tablets for treating ulcerative colitis in children under 2 years. Safety and success have not been determined in children under 2 years of age.

To date, no studies have demonstrated a specific problem in pediatrics with the limited use of sulfasalazine in treating juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children. However, safety and effectiveness are not known for children under 6 years of age.

Elderly

Research conducted to date has not shown specific problems in geriatrics regarding the limited use of sulfasalazine in the elderly.

Is Sulfasalazine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = No risk, B = not at risk in several studies, C = May be risky, D = There is positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = Unknown

Sulfasalazine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Sulfasalazine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Although several drugs should not be used simultaneously, in other cases two different drugs may be used simultaneously even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may change the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs.

Using this medication with any of the following drugs is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the medicines you have used.

• Methenamine

Using this medication with any of the following drugs is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If both drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or the frequency with which you use one or both drugs.

• Mercaptopurine
• Riluzole
• Topotecan

Using this medication with one of the following drugs will increase your risk of certain side effects, but taking the two drugs together may be the best treatment for you. If both drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Cyclosporine
• Digoxin
• Warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with Sulfasalazine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Sulfasalazine?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Allergy to sulfa drugs or salicylates
• Bowel obstruction
• Porphyria (enzyme problem)
• Bladder obstruction — Should not be used in patients with this condition.
• Asthma — Use with care. May increase the risk of allergies
• Blood or bone marrow problems (eg, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia)
• Kidney illness
• Liver disease - use with caution. Can make conditions worse
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency - can cause hemolytic anemia (blood disorder) in patients with this condition
• infection — Can decrease the body's ability to fight infection.

Sulfasalazine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.