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| Pronunciation |
|
 (sul
fa SAL a
zeen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Azulfidine®
EN-tabs®; Azulfidine®
Tablets |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Sulfasalazine® (Canada);
PMS-Sulfasalazine (Canada); Salazopyrin® (Canada); Salazopyrin
EN-Tabs® (Canada); S.A.S™
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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5-Aminosalicylic Acid Derivative |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to sulfa medicines, salicylates, sulfasalazine,
or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Porphyria, blockage in
the gastrointestinal tract; blockage in the urinary tract.
- If you are treating a child less than 2 years of
age.
|
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
- The enteric coated form (EN-tabs) is used for rheumatoid arthritis
(including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) in patients who need more than pain
medicine.
|
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| How does it work? |
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- Sulfasalazine works to decrease the irritation and inflammation caused
by ulcerative colitis.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Swallow enteric-coated tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Take with a whole glass of water.
- Do not take antacids, iron or folic acid with this medicine. Separate
them.
- Drink plenty of liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare
provider.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- This medicine can stain your urine, sweat, tears a yellow-orange
color. May stain contact lenses and clothing.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- Be careful with G-6-PD deficiency.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are on warfarin.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Sperm counts and motility can be decreased. This is reversible within
2 months after the medicine is stopped.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Belching or burping.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- If you see tablet bits in the stool.
- Cramping, belly pain, or bloody diarrhea.
- Fever.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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