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 very bad 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, as well as dosing intervals range from every 6 hours to every 12 hours, depending on the clinical condition of the patient.

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

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

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

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Incase it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as 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 as well as 86 degrees F (15 as well as 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep Azulfidine out of the reach of children as well as away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist incase you are allergic to sulfonamides (sulfa drugs) before using this medicine. Do not take this medicine incase you possess had a very bad allergic reaction to aspirin or any medicine containing aspirin. A very bad reaction includes a very bad rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. Incase you possess a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Keep all doctor as well as laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Drinking extra fluids while you are using 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. Take a sunscreen or protective clothing incase you must be outside for a prolonged period. This medicine may cause a harmless, yellow-orange discoloration of the urine or skin. Incase you experience difficulty breathing or tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately as well as before using any more of this medicine.For women: this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Likely Side Effects

Do not take Azulfidine if:

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

Contact your doctor or health care provider fair away incase any of these apply to you.

Some health examination conditions may work with Azulfidine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist incase you possess any health examination conditions, especially incase any of the following apply to you:

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

Some medicines may work with Azulfidine . Tell your health care provider incase you are using any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or methotrexate because the actions as well as 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 take this medicine for other health conditions.

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