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What is Azulfidine
SulfasalazineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummarySulfasalazine is a drug used to treat inflammation in the intestines, such as in inflammatory bowel disease. It works by breaking down into a chemical called 5-aminosalicylic acid (mesalamine) which helps reduce inflammation in the colon.
Azulfidineis the brand name
Azulfidine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Azulfidine
Sulfasalazine
1950
38
Effectiveness
How Azulfidine Affects PatientsThe exact way sulfasalazine works is still being studied, but it is believed to reduce inflammation and affect the immune system. It is also thought to stick to connective tissue and to be absorbed in large amounts when taken by mouth. In people with ulcerative colitis, studies have shown that the main therapeutic effect comes from 5-aminosalicylic acid, a metabolite of sulfasalazine. It is not known how sulfasalazine and its metabolites contribute to treating rheumatoid arthritis.
How Azulfidine works in the bodySulfasalazine works to reduce inflammation, likely by blocking chemicals that cause it. It is thought to do this by stopping some enzymes from working, like phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase. These enzymes create chemicals that cause inflammation, so when sulfasalazine blocks them, the inflammation is reduced.
When to interrupt dosage
The recommended dosage of Azulfidine is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, such as moderate Ulcerative colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ulcerative Colitis. The dose varies, in regard to the administration technique (e.g. Tablet or Enema - Rectal) listed in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Rheumatoid Arthritis
, 500.0 mg, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Suspension, Rectal, Suspension - Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Suppository - Rectal, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
moderate Ulcerative colitis
, 500.0 mg, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Suspension, Rectal, Suspension - Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Suppository - Rectal, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, chronic or unspecified
, 500.0 mg, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Suspension, Rectal, Suspension - Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Suppository - Rectal, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Ulcerative Colitis
, 500.0 mg, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Suspension, Rectal, Suspension - Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Suppository - Rectal, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Ulcerative Colitis
, 500.0 mg, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Suspension, Rectal, Suspension - Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Suppository - Rectal, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Proctitis
, 500.0 mg, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Suspension, Rectal, Suspension - Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Suppository - Rectal, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Crohn's Disease
, 500.0 mg, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Suspension, Rectal, Suspension - Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Suppository - Rectal, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Warnings
Azulfidine has seven contraindications and should not be taken while encountering any of the circumstances outlined in the following table.Azulfidine ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Porphyria
Do Not Combine
Intestines
Do Not Combine
Common Azulfidine Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Sulfasalazine is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Sulfasalazine is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abatacept
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Sulfasalazine is combined with Abatacept.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Sulfasalazine is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Sulfasalazine is combined with Acteoside.
Azulfidine Toxicity & Overdose RiskStudies in rats and mice showed that taking high doses of sulfasalazine can cause tumors in the bladder and kidney of male rats, and liver tumors in male and female mice. It also caused infertility in male rats. In humans, it has been linked to an increased risk of birth defects such as neural tube defects. Pregnant women should only take sulfasalazine if it is absolutely necessary. There is not enough data to know if it affects the growth or development of children whose mothers took it during pregnancy.
Azulfidine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Azulfidine?
Currently, 114 active trials are investigating the potential of Azulfidine to provide relief from Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, chronic or unspecified, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
moderate Ulcerative colitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Ulcerative Colitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, chronic or unspecified
0 Actively Recruiting
Crohn's Disease
35 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 4
Rheumatoid Arthritis
61 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1
Proctitis
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Ulcerative Colitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Azulfidine Reviews: What are patients saying about Azulfidine?
5Patient Review
2/5/2011 I know someone who developed lung disease from this medication. They're now on Flolan and having a lot of trouble.
5Patient Review
4/8/2012 I'm really struggling since I started this medication a month ago. I'm exhausted all the time, my pain has gotten worse, and my veins are bulging and painful to the touch. My heart feels like it's fluttering in my chest.
5Patient Review
2/8/2013 I've had no issues with this treatment.
5Patient Review
2/23/2014 I have seronegative arthritis and my doctor prescribed this to me. I am afraid of the side effects, as I have high blood pressure and a history of slow heart rate. Will this medication result in my blood pressure getting higher and my heart rate slowing down? If so, I stop taking it because I don't want to experience any more negative health effects.
5Patient Review
9/2/2013 Aloe Vera Juice is an affordable and accessible treatment for Ulcerative Colitis that really works! I highly recommend it to anyone suffering from this condition.
4.7Patient Review
7/18/2013 This medication has been really helpful in getting me off pain pills. The time release is the only one I could tolerate though.
4.3Patient Review
10/6/2014 I've been taking this medication for a while now to help with my RA, and it's been really effective. I haven't experienced many side effects, which is great.
4.3Patient Review
6/8/2011 I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 62 and later Crohn's. I started sulfasalazine and have had no problems since then. In fact, at 76, I play tennis 3x a week (at a 4.0 level) and have fewer aches and pains than the 40-50 year old women I play with. I think the drug is responsible for this and experienced no side effects.
4Patient Review
7/5/2011 This medication has been nothing short of a miracle for me. I had suffered from chronic hives for 14 years and was only able to manage it through the use of prednisone. However, this treatment has finally allowed me to wean off of prednisone and live my life again!
3.7Patient Review
11/14/20103Patient Review
8/12/2013 I had an unfortunately early experience with Steven Johnsons syndrome, which is a rare side effect. It took a month of treatment to have the severe allergic reaction and since I had eaten shrimp when the allergy developed the SJ was overlooked. I started the treatment again only to have SJ symptoms show after only one week with azulfidine. My advice if you need to take this drug is to keep beware of any rash or sign. Even when you aren't allergic you can develop a sulfa allergy.
3Patient Review
5/19/20102.3Patient Review
5/28/2015 The pills are very hard to swallow. Perhaps if they came in a capsule I would be able to keep more down.
2.3Patient Review
12/9/2010 While using this medication, I saw a decrease in symptoms by about 60%. However, I was not completely satisfied with the results.
1.7Patient Review
10/14/2015 I've been getting migraines lately and they are really bad. The colitis is fine, but the headaches are awful.
1.3Patient Review
2/20/2013 600mg Plaquenil combined with 1000mg Azulfidine has not alleviated my SLE symptoms.
1.3Patient Review
3/13/2013 I constantly experience severe pain. When I take this medication, my liver count goes up; however, it doesn't provide any relief while I'm taking it.
1.3Patient Review
11/29/20101Patient Review
1/9/2012 This medication has greatly reduced both the frequency and duration of my flare-ups, as well as helping my IBS. However, I now have to be very careful in the sun or else risk getting burned.
Patient Q&A Section about azulfidine
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Is Azulfidine an immunosuppressant?
"The drug Azulfidine EN-tabs is used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.Azulfidine belongs to a different drug class than Imuran. Imuran is an immunosuppressive antimetabolite and Azulfidine is an anti-inflammatory agent and immunomodulatory agent."
Answered by AI
Is Azulfidine a sulfa drug?
"Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) is a drug used to treat the symptoms of arthritis. It can also help prevent joint damage and reduce the risk of long-term disability."
Answered by AI
Is Azulfidine a steroid?
"No, sulfasalazine is not a steroid. It is actually considered a "steroid-sparing" medication. "Steroid-sparing" medications aim to lower the amount of corticosteroids you need by treating your condition and symptoms."
Answered by AI
What is Azulfidine used for?
"This medication is used to treat conditions such as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. It works by reducing irritation and swelling in the intestines and by reducing joint pain, stiffness, and swelling."
Answered by AI