Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: SULFASALAZINE - ORAL (sull-fuh-SAL-uh-zeen)
BRAND NAME(S): Azulfidine
Medication Uses | Other Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: Sulfasalazine is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis; or stomach pain, rectal bleeding, and diarrhea caused by ulcerative colitis.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used for inflammatory bowel disease; or stomach pain, rectal bleeding, and diarrhea caused by Crohn's disease; back pain/inflammation (ankylosing spondylitis); and may be used for other purposes as determined by your doctor.
HOW TO USE: Take this with a full glass of water, with food or after meals to prevent stomach upset. Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid daily unless otherwise directed. The coated tablets must be swallowed whole. Do not crush or chew them. The coating helps to prevent stomach upset. The liquid suspension form of this medicine must be shaken well before measuring each dose.
SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, dizziness or trouble sleeping during the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms persist or become severe, inform your doctor. May cause urine to be orange-brown in color. This is not harmful and will disappear when the medication is stopped. This medication increases sensitivity to sunlight. Notify your doctor if your condition worsens or you develop: easy bruising. Rarely, this medication can cause serious, even fatal, side effects such as a severe peeling skin rash known as Stevens- Johnson syndrome, blood disorders (e.g., agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia), or liver damage. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following symptoms: skin rash or blisters, unusual fatigue, persistent sore throat or fever, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, abdominal pain. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission).
- mesalamine, Pentasa, Rowasa, Asacol, Lialda, Canasa - Information about mesalamine - 5-aminosalicylic acid (Pentasa, Rowasa, Asacol, Lialda, Canasa), a drug used for the treatment of mild to moderately severe ulcerative colitis.
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