Azulfidine

Azulfidine is a drug that is used primarily for treating ulcerative colitis. Azulfidine affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea. Azulfidine is used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults who have received other arthritis medications without successful treatment of symptoms.

Azulfidine is used for the treatment of mild to severe ulcerative colitis, and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been used "off label" (unapproved by the FDA) for Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis.

Dosing:
Adult doses range from 1000 mg to 4000 mg daily. Azulfidine is administered 2 to 4 times daily depending on the disease for which it is used. Azulfidine should be taken with a full glass of water after meals or with food to minimize upset stomach. Patients with kidney diseases may need to use lower doses of sulfasalazine.

Pregnancy:
In hundreds of pregnant women with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease treated with sulfasalazine, there has been no increase in the risk of fetal malformations relative to other women with these illnesses who have not been treated with sulfasalazine. Additionally, there have not been ill effects on pregnant animals given high doses of sulfasalazine. Thus, sulfasalazine may be used during pregnancy if the physician feels the benefit outweighs the possible risk. 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.

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.