Drug Name

Azulfidine (Sulfasalazine)

Drug Uses

Azulfidine is used for the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis; as adjunctive therapy (i.e. with other medications) in the treatment of severe ulcerative colitis; for the treatment of Crohn's disease; for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

How Taken

Doses range from 500mg to 2000mg, and dosing intervals range from every 6 hours to every 12 hours, depending on the clinical condition of the patient.

Azulfidine should be taken with a full glass of water after meals or with food to minimize stomach upset. Patients with kidney diseases may need to use lower doses of azulfidine.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Azulfidine is a sulfonamide that decrease inflammation and help regulate the immune system in various areas of the body.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store Azulfidine at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep Azulfidine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to sulfonamides (sulfa drugs) before taking this medicine. Do not take this medicine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to aspirin or any medicine containing aspirin. A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Drinking extra fluids while you are taking this medicine is recommended. Check with your doctor or nurse for instructions. This medicine may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun or sunlamps until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. This medicine may cause a harmless, yellow-orange discoloration of the urine or skin. If you experience difficulty breathing or tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately and before taking any more of this medicine. For women: this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

Possible Side Effects

Do not use Azulfidine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Azulfidine or to a salicylate (eg, aspirin) or a sulfonamide (eg, sulfisoxazole);
• you have the blood disease porphyria or a blockage of the intestine or urinary tract.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Azulfidine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding;
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement;
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances;
• if you have kidney or liver problems, a blood disorder, a gastrointestinal infection, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, or asthma;

Some medicines may interact with Azulfidine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or methotrexate because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased;
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Azulfidine;
• Methenamine because the risk of crystals in the urine is increased.

More Information

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed.

Do not use this medicine for other health conditions.

If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.