What is sulfasalazine oral?
Sulfasalazine affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.
Sulfasalazine is used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults who have received other arthritis medications without successful treatment of symptoms.
Sulfasalazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about sulfasalazine oral?
You should not use this medication if you have porphyria, a blockage in your bladder or intestines, or if you are allergic to sulfasalazine, sulfa drugs, aspirin, or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).
Before using sulfasalazine, tell your doctor if you have asthma, kidney or liver disease, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Also tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin), folic acid (Folicin, FA-8), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain folic acid.
Do not crush, break, or chew a sulfasalazine tablet. Swallow the pill whole. The enteric-coated tablet has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating.
For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Sulfasalazine will not cure ulcerative colitis, but it can reduce the number of attacks you have.
If you are treating arthritis, do not stop using any of your other arthritis medications until your doctor tells you to.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sulfasalazine oral?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to sulfasalazine, or if you have:
a blockage in your bladder or intestines;
porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system);
if you are allergic to sulfa drugs (such as Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim, and others); or
if you are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).
Before using sulfasalazine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take sulfasalazine.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Sulfasalazine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.