Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine

Generic Name: sulfasalazine (Pronunciation: SUL fa SAL a zeen)

• What is sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
• What are the possible side effects of sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
• What is the most important information I should know about sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
• How should I take sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
• What happens if I overdose (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
• What should I avoid while taking sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
• What other drugs will affect sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

Sulfasalazine affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.

Sulfasalazine 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.

Sulfasalazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Azulfidine 500 mg

round, gold, imprinted with KPh, 101

Azulfidine Entab 500 mg

elliptical, gold, imprinted with KPh, 102

Sulfasalazine 500 mg-URL

round, yellow, imprinted with MP 91

Sulfasalazine 500 mg-WAT

round, orange, imprinted with WATSON 796

What are the possible side effects of sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using sulfasalazine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms;
• pale skin, easy bruising;
• dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• the appearance of a whole tablet in your stool; or
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
• loss of appetite;
• headache, ringing in your ears;
• dizziness, spinning sensation;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• mild itching or skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about sulfasalazine oral (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

You should not use this medication if you have porphyria, a blockage in your bladder or intestines, or if you are allergic to sulfasalazine, sulfa drugs, aspirin, or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).

Before using sulfasalazine, tell your doctor if you have asthma, kidney or liver disease, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Also tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin), folic acid (Folicin, FA-8), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain folic acid.

Do not crush, break, or chew a sulfasalazine tablet. Swallow the pill whole. The enteric-coated tablet has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating.

For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Sulfasalazine will not cure ulcerative colitis, but it can reduce the number of attacks you have.

If you are treating arthritis, do not stop using any of your other arthritis medications until your doctor tells you to.