SULFASALAZINE (Salazopyrin En-tabs) - DEPARTMENT OF RHEUMATOLOGY
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DEPARTMENT OF
RHEUMATOLOGY
SULFASALAZINE
(Salazopyrin En-tabs)
PATIENT INFORMATIONGeneral Information COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Sulfasalazine EC is also known as Not all patients develop side effects,
Salazopyrin EN. Always ensure you about 75% of adverse drug
have the enteric coated tablets from reactions occur within the first three
your pharmacy. months, and 90% by six months.
Some undesirable side effects are
It is used in the treatment of RA, dose dependant and the symptoms
induction and maintenance of can be alleviated by a dose
remission of ulcerative colitis and reduction. Listed below are the
the treatment of active Crohns most common side effects.
Disease.
• Nausea (feeling sick), indigestion
Sulfasalazine EC is not a pain killing and loss of appetite - these usually
drug but is given to try to slow improve once you get used to the
down the progression of your tablets
disease, dampen down the
inflammation and reduce the • Skin rash
damage to your joints. This will in
turn reduce your pain. • Headaches
• Staining of contact lenses - these
DOSAGE AND DIRECTIONS can be stained yellow, particularly
if you have soft lenses
The dose is usually steadily
increased over a number of weeks • Body fluids - your urine, faeces
until the full dose is achieved: and sweat can become yellow or
orange in colour which can lead
• Week 1 500mg once a day = 1 to your clothing becoming stained
tablet with food
• Week 2 500mg twice a day = 2 • Sun sensitivity - some people find
tablets with food that they are more sensitive to
• Week 3 500mg in the morning sunlight while taking these
and 1g at night = 3 tablets with tablets. It is therefore advisable to
food use a high factor sun block when
• Week 4 1g in the morning and you are out in the sun.
1g at night = 4 tablets with foodSPECIAL PRECAUTIONS Sulphasalazine EC, Alcohol and
Other Drugs
You will need to have regular blood
tests carried out to detect any effect Excess alcohol should be avoided
that the sulfasalazine EC may have whilst you are taking this drug. You
on your white blood cells and should not exceed the recommended
platelets. They will also detect any limits of alcohol which is between 1-
changes in your liver. 2 units a day for women and 2-3
units a day for men.
You will need the blood tests:
This tablet can interfere with
• Every 2 weeks for the three indigestion remedies and therefore
months then should not be taken at the same
time. Allow two hours before or
• Every 3 months for nine months two hours after taking
then sulfasalazine EC when taking other
medicines.
• Every 6 months thereafter
Sulphasalazine EC may interact with
This may change if another DMARD other medicines and you should
is added. therefore always inform your doctor,
dentist or pharmacist that you are
If you miss a tablet do not taking it before you take any other
double the dose next time. medicines - either those prescribed
Doses should not exceed 8 for you, or those you can buy over
hours apart. the counter.
If your dose is increased, you will Analgesics and Non-steroidal anti-
need to go back to the start of the inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can be
above blood monitoring regime. taken concurrently.
It is advisable to avoid grapefruit,
orange and lemon juices as these
can cause stomach disturbances.Sulfasalazine EC, Fertility and ADDITIONAL POINTS
Pregnancy
When to contact your GP
Sulfasalazine EC can reduce a man’s
sperm count - but this trend • Patients are recommended to visit
reverses when treatment is stopped. their GP for an annual flu vaccine
However, it should not be seen as a • Live vaccinations are contra-
form of contraception and indicated
contraceptive precautions are still • Report any problems such as
necessary. fevers, chills, sore- throats
• If you come into direct contact
If you are considering a vasectomy, with someone with
please discuss this with your GP. chickenpox/shingles. (face to face
for 15 minutes)
Sulfasalazine EC is generally
considered safe in pregnancy. When to contact the
However, if you think you are rheumatology helpline
pregnant or are planning a
pregnancy do tell your doctor, who • For repeat prescriptions of
will then be able to discuss the Leflunomide.
medicines you take. • If you are experiencing a flare of
your arthritis.
Long-term clinical usage and • If you come into contact with
experimental studies have failed to someone with chickenpox/
reveal teratogenic hazards. The shingles. (face to face for 15
amounts of drug present in the milk minutes)
should not present a risk to a
healthy infant. When you are taking DMARDS, it is
very important that you tell us
when you are admitted to hospital
or are having a planned operation.
Please ring the Rheumatology
Helpline on: 01926 482615.Contact Information Frances Chilton frances.chilton@swh.nhs.uk Jo Lennon jo.lennon@swh.nhs.uk Sarah Dunn sarah.dunn@swh.nhs.uk Rheumatology Department Warwick Hospital Lakin Rd CV34 5BW Rheumatology Answerphone Tel: 01926 482615 FAX: 01926 600083 Additional information can be obtained from www.arc.org.uk NB If you wish to change or check the time/date of you appointments please do not call the rheumatology answerphone, please use the following telephone contact number: 01926 600011
Notes
Further information
As a public organisation the Trust has a
statutory obligation to promote race
equality. This is set out in the Race
Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
Our Information for Patients can also be
made available in other languages, Braille,
audio tape, disc or in large print.
PALS
We offer a Patient Advice Liaison Service
(PALS). This is a confidential service for
patients and their families to help with any
questions or concerns about local health
services.
You can contact the service by the direct
telephone line on 01926 600054, using the
phone links which are available in both
hospitals or calling in at the office located
at the main entrance at Warwick Hospital.
Version 1: Dec 2004
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