Why is this medicine prescribed?
Sulfasalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum) and also to maintain improvement of ulcerative colitis symptoms. Sulfasalazine delayed-release (Azulfidine EN-tabs) is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults whose disease has not responded well to other medications or could not be tolerated. Sulfasalazine delayed-release (Azulfidine EN-tabs) is also used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA; a type of childhood arthritis that affects five or more joints during the first six months of the condition, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function) in children who have not been helped by other medications. Sulfasalazine is in a class of medications called anti-inflammatory drugs. It works by reducing inflammation (swelling) inside the body.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
Sulfasalazine is also used to treat bowel inflammation, diarrhea (stool frequency), rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain in Crohn's disease. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
How should this medicine be used?
Sulfasalazine comes as regular and delayed-release (releases the medication in the intestine to prevent irritation to the stomach and to allow the medication to work in the intestine where its effects are needed) tablets. It usually is taken 3 to 6 times a day in evenly spaced doses throughout the day so that no more than 8 hours separates any two doses, if possible. For treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, sulfasalazine delayed-release tablets are usually taken twice a day in evenly spaced doses throughout the day. 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 delayed-release tablets whole; do not crush or chew them.
Drink plenty of fluids while taking sulfasalazine.
Continue to take sulfasalazine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sulfasalazine without talking to your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking sulfasalazine,
- tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfasalazine; sulfapyridine; salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate, diflunisal, magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others); balsalazide (Colazal); mesalamine (Apriso, Delzicol, Lialda, Pentasa); olsalazine (Dipentum); sulfa drugs; any other medications; or the ingredients in sulfasalzine tablets or delayed-release tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an intestinal obstruction (a blockage in your intestine), a urinary obstruction (a blockage of urine flowing out of the bladder), or porphyria (condition in which abnormal substances build up in the blood and cause problems with the skin or nervous system). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take sulfasalazine.
- tell your doctor if you have an infection or if you have or have ever had an infection that keeps coming back. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disease), kidney stones, blood problems, or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking sulfasalazine, call your doctor.
- you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men. Fertility usually returns when the medicine is stopped. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking sulfasalazine.
- 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.
- you should know that sulfasalazine should not be taken by people who have received the varicella virus (chicken pox) vaccine in the past six weeks because of the risk of Reye's syndrome (a serious condition in which fat builds up on the brain, liver, and other body organs).
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- tiredness
- seizures
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Sulfasalazine may cause side effects.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- yellow or orange discoloration of urine or skin
- diarrhea
- headache
- loss of appetite
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- stomach pain
If you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking sulfasalazine and call your doctor immediately:
- rash, hives, itching or peeling or blistering skin
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, mouth, or throat
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swollen glands
- fever, sore throat, chills, cough, night sweats, and other signs of infection
- pale skin, tiredness, or shortness of breath
- joint or muscle aches
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- pain in the right upper part of the stomach
- difficult or painful urination or cloudy, discolored or blood urine
- chest pain
- new or worsening cough
- tiredness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- weakness
- seizures
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 ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to check your response to sulfasalazine.
Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.