Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
It should also be noted, however, that sulfasalazine may reduce sperm count
and sperm function in men. These effects are reversible upon stopping the drug.
NURSING MOTHERS: Caution should be exercised by women who are nursing their
infants. Sulfasalazine and its constituents are secreted into
breast milk. There
is a small risk that sulfapyridine (a byproduct of sulfasalazine) may displace
bilirubin from albumen in the blood of infants and cause jaundice.
SIDE EFFECTS: Gastrointestinal disturbances frequently occur in patients
taking sulfasalazine. Nausea,
vomiting, gastric distress, and anorexia (loss of
appetite) commonly occur. Sulfasalazine may cause the skin or the urine to
change color. Development of an orange-yellow discoloration is no cause for
concern.
Headache, allergic reactions, and
photosensitivity (development of a rash
when exposed to sunlight) may develop during sulfasalazine therapy and require
medical attention. Some of the allergic reactions may progress from a rash to
difficulty in swallowing, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, aching
joints and muscles, and unusual tiredness or weakness. It may be accompanied by
fever. The more severe allergic reactions are rare.
Several potentially dangerous side effects have been reported rarely with
sulfasalazine. A drop in white blood cell count or a type of anemia in which red
blood cells are disrupted (hemolyzed) may occur. These effects are characterized
by fever, pale skin, sore throat, fatigue, and unusual bleeding and bruising,
and require discontinuation of the drug. Liver failure, pancreatitis, and
kidney
failure also have been associated with sulfasalazine.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease,
primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can
affect other parts of the digestive system as well. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss are
common symptoms.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is closely related to Crohn's disease, and together they are referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment depends upon the type of ulcerative colitis diagnosed.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine. The tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is genetically inherited.
Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes skin and joint inflammation. Symptoms include painful, stiff, and swollen joints, tendinitis, and organ inflammation. Treatment involves antiinflammatory medications and exercise.
Inflammation of the inner lining of the colon is referred to as colitis. Symptoms of the inflammation of the colon lining include diarrhea, pain, and blood in the stool. There are several causes of colitis including infection, ischemia of the colon, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, or microscopic colitis). Treatment depends on the cause of the colitis.
Reactive arthritis is a chronic, systemic rheumatic disease characterized by three conditions, including conjunctivitis, joint inflammation, and genital, urinary or gastrointestinal system inflammation. Inflammation leads to pain, swelling, warmth, redness, and stiffness of the affected joints. Non-joint areas may experience irritation and pain. Treatment for reactive arthritis depends on which area of the body is affected. Joint inflammation is treated with antiinflammatory medications.
Juvenile arthritis (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or JRA) annually affects one child in every thousand. There are three types of JRA: pauciarticular (less than four joints affected), polyarticular (more than four joints affected), and systemic-onset (inflamed joints with high fevers and rash). Treatment of juvenile arthritis depends upon the type the child has and should focus on treating the symptoms that manifest.
SAPHO syndrome is a chronic disorder that involves the skin, bone, and joints. SAPHO syndrome is an eponym for the combination of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis. SAPHO syndrome is related to arthritic conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis. Treatment is directed toward the individual symptoms that are present, and includes medications such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and cortisone medications.
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