General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
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Sulfasalazine is prescription drug. It is sold from the pharmacy store only in the presence of written instructions known as prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, such as a doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant.
Sulfasalazine is pronounced as SUL fa SAL a zeen
What is it?
Sulfasalazine is an anti inflammatory and antirheumatic drug. (Disease modifying anti rheumatic drug (DMARD’s))
Common uses of it
Sulfasalazine is used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. It is also used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Sulfasalazine is taken after food. Adequate amount of fluid intake is necessary with this drug.
Take sulfasalazine as prescribed by your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dose with out your doctor consultation.
Do not crush or chew delayed release tablet, swallow it as whole.
Do not take sulfasalazine if you are suffering from certain blood disorders (porphyria) , Intestinal and urinary blockage.
Children:
Safety is not established for the children below 2 years of age.
Old people:
Pregnant woman:
Sulfasalazine belongs to FDA pregnancy category B. This means that sulfasalazine is safe during pregnancy and is not expected to cause any harm to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women:
It is not known whether sulfasalazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take sulfasalazine with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding baby.
Other:
It should be used in patients suffering from kidnay disease, blood disorders, Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency ( G6PD).
Sulfasalazine is available in the form of enteric coated tablet.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Initailly doctor starts with 500 mg daily and increase slowly.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
Side effects for salfasalazine are
- Nausea, vomiting
- Heahache, Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Yellow skin and urine
If any of the above side effects become worse consult your doctor immediately.
Store auranofin at room temp (25 degrees C / 77 degrees F). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any left over portion is disposed off safely.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic sulfa drugs. If any hyper sensitive reactions occur discontinue the drug immediately.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: May 15, 2012