Sulfasalazine

Proctitis, moderate Ulcerative colitis, Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, chronic or unspecified + 4 more
Treatment
20 Active Studies for Sulfasalazine

What is Sulfasalazine

SulfasalazineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummarySulfasalazine is a medication used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases. It works by breaking down in the colon to form 5-aminosalicylic acid, which helps reduce inflammation in the intestines.
Azulfidineis the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Sulfasalazine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Azulfidine
Sulfasalazine
1950
38

Effectiveness

How Sulfasalazine Affects PatientsThe way sulfasalazine works is not yet understood, but it may help reduce inflammation and alter the immune system. It is known to reach high concentrations in the liver, serous fluids, and intestines. In patients with ulcerative colitis, it appears that the 5-aminosalicylic acid component is responsible for the therapeutic effect. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, the contribution of sulfasalazine and its metabolites to treatment is currently unknown.
How Sulfasalazine works in the bodySulfasalazine works in the body to reduce inflammation. It does this by blocking certain molecules like leukotrienes and prostaglandins that cause inflammation. It also stops enzymes like phospholipase A2, COX-1 and COX-2, and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase from working. This stops the inflammation in the body.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Sulfasalazine is contingent upon the diagnosed malady, including moderate Ulcerative colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ulcerative Colitis. The sum of dosage alters as per the delivery process (e.g. Tablet or Enema - Rectal) noted in the table beneath.
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
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
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
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

Sulfasalazine has seven known counter-indications, so it should be avoided in the event of any of the conditions laid out in the accompanying table.Sulfasalazine Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Porphyria
Do Not Combine
Intestines
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Sulfasalazine.
Common Sulfasalazine 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.
Sulfasalazine Toxicity & Overdose RiskStudies on animals have found that sulfasalazine is linked to an increased risk of bladder and kidney tumors in rats, and liver tumors in mice. It has also been linked to fertility problems in male rats, and there are reports of neural tube defects in infants born to mothers who took the drug while pregnant. There have been no studies on pregnant humans but a survey suggests that there is no increase in fetal complications compared to the general population. It is not known how sulfasalazine may affect the growth and development of children exposed to the drug during pregnancy.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Sulfasalazine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Sulfasalazine?

114 active studies are currently being conducted to investigate the effectiveness of Sulfasalazine in providing 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
Rheumatoid Arthritis
62 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1
Crohn's Disease
34 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 4
Ulcerative Colitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, chronic or unspecified
0 Actively Recruiting
Proctitis
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Ulcerative Colitis
0 Actively Recruiting

Sulfasalazine Reviews: What are patients saying about Sulfasalazine?

5Patient Review
6/26/2017
Sulfasalazine for Ulcerative Colitis currently Without Symptoms
Sulfasalazine has been incredibly effective in treating my Colitis flare-ups. I start seeing results within two weeks, and haven't had any issues for the past two months.
4Patient Review
6/22/2017
Sulfasalazine for Collagenous Colitis
I've been using this treatment for a couple years now, and it's made a big difference (I use it three times per day). It's also much cheaper than budesonide.
3Patient Review
5/5/2019
Sulfasalazine for Rheumatic Disease causing Pain & Stiffness in Backbone
I developed a skin rash after using this treatment.
2.7Patient Review
4/16/2019
Sulfasalazine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Though my pain has decreased significantly, I now feel incredibly exhausted all the time. It's like I just ran a marathon. Has anyone else experienced this?
2Patient Review
9/7/2017
Sulfasalazine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I've only just started taking this medication.
2Patient Review
10/11/2022
Sulfasalazine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I've been using this medication for about a month to treat my rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Prior to use, I only had some joint pain and psoriasis. However, since taking the drug, I have such severe leg pain that I can't stand or walk without being in agony. Additionally, the psoriasis has not improved at all. The side effects of this medication are very scary and concerning!
2Patient Review
1/24/2018
Sulfasalazine for Psoriasis associated with Arthritis
I started with a lower dosage and worked my way up, as recommended. However, I haven't seen any improvement in my symptoms after about two months of use.
1.7Patient Review
10/23/2021
Sulfasalazine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I had a really terrible experience while taking this medication. I woke up with a headache, pain in all my joints, and my eyes felt grainy and sandy. My doctor said to cut the pills into quarters and start at a lower dose, but I read that you shouldn't cut the pills. I don't know what to do now.
1Patient Review
3/29/2021
Sulfasalazine for Crohn's Disease
Do not bother with this medication. It did nothing to help my Crohn's Disease and the side effects were debilitating.
1Patient Review
2/1/2018
Sulfasalazine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
This drug is absolutely terrible. After experiencing side effects from plaquenil and Arava, my doctor said to try this awful medicine. I took it for 2 months at 1,000 mg/day. I had debilitating migraines the entire time. One morning I woke up feeling like I was having a heart attack. I couldn't breathe and my chest was tight. I had to go to the hospital by ambulance. Now they believe I have liver damage. Think twice before you swallow this poison!
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about sulfasalazine

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is sulfasalazine a steroid drug?

"Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) is not a steroid, but is actually a "steroid-sparing" medication. This means that it helps to manage your condition and symptoms with a lower dose of corticosteroids."

Answered by AI

What are the long term effects of taking sulfasalazine?

"*The most common side-effects of penicillamine were dyspepsia, nausea, and abdominal discomfort, although rashes and macrocytosis also occurred in a small number of patients. Eighteen of the 21 patients treated with penicillamine showed improvement after nine months, although there was some deterioration noted in some patients after one year."

Answered by AI

What does sulfasalazine do to your body?

"Sulfasalazine works to decrease inflammation in the colon and throughout the body by inhibiting the formation of a chemical known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins have several important functions in the body, one of which is control of pain and inflammation."

Answered by AI

Does sulfasalazine have side effects?

"This is not harmful.

You may experience stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, or unusual tiredness. If you experience any of these effects, notify your doctor or pharmacist. This medication may cause your skin and urine to turn orange-yellow. This is not harmful."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Sulfasalazine

Have you considered Sulfasalazine clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Sulfasalazine, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Sulfasalazine clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Sulfasalazine, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Sulfasalazine clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Sulfasalazine, we think they might fit your search criteria.