sulfasalazine
| Pronunciation: | SUL fa SAL a zeen |
| Brand: | Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine |
Azulfidine 500 mg
round, gold, imprinted with KPh, 101
Azulfidine Entab 500 mg
elliptical, gold, imprinted with KPh, 102
Sulfasalazine 500 mg-GRE
round, yellow, imprinted with G500
Sulfasalazine 500 mg-URL
round, yellow, imprinted with MP 91
Sulfasalazine 500 mg-WAT
round, orange, imprinted with WATSON 796
Sulfasalazine DR 500 mg-GRE
oval, yellow, imprinted with 104
What is the most important information I should know about sulfasalazine oral?
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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?
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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:
- asthma;
- glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;
- kidney disease; or
- liver disease.
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.
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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. |
How should I take sulfasalazine oral?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
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Take this medication after a meal. |
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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. |
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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. |
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If you are treating arthritis, do not stop using any of your other arthritis medications until your doctor tells you to. Your symptoms may not improve right away when you start taking sulfasalazine, and you may still need your other medications for awhile. |
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver and kidney function may need to be checked with blood and urine tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
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Store sulfasalazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. |
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, or seizure (convulsions).
What are the possible side effects of sulfasalazine oral?
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Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. |
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Stop using sulfasalazine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: |
- fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms;
- pale skin, easy bruising;
- dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- pain or burning when you urinate;
- urinating less than usual or not at all;
- the appearance of a whole tablet in your stool; or
- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
- loss of appetite;
- headache, ringing in your ears;
- dizziness, spinning sensation;
- white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
- sleep problems (insomnia); or
- mild itching or skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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