What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Sulfasalazine
You should not use sulfasalazine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- a blockage in your bladder or intestines
- an allergy to sulfa drugs or
- an allergy to aspirin or other salicylates .
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- frequent infections
- low blood cell counts or
- liver or kidney disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Taking sulfasalazine can make it harder for your body to absorb folic acid, and folic acid helps prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain or spine. You may need to take folic acid supplements if you take sulfasalazine during pregnancy. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Sulfasalazine can pass into breast milk and may cause diarrhea or bloody stools in a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Sulfasalazine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old.
A Note About Sex And Gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms male, female, or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. .
UC is one form of inflammatory bowel disease , alongside Crohns disease. Gastroenterologists can prescribe various medications and treatments according to a persons disease activity and the severity of their condition.
This article reviews the different medications for treating UC. It also describes the five main types of approved drugs for the condition, how they work, and their different uses and precautions.
These drugs are available in prescription and over-the-counter formulations.
Aminosalicylates are a type of anti-inflammatory medication. They pathways in the body that create inflammation-causing substances, helping decrease inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
Doctors frequently prescribe the treatment class known as 5-aminosalicylic acid for mild to moderate IBD. They may administer these as a suppository or recommend that people take them orally.
Examples of aminosalicylates include:
Medical professionals prescribe this medication to maintain the remission period between acute episodes of UC.
Manufacturers sell this drug under the brand name Azulfidine. The Food and Drug Administration sulfasalazine for UC but not Crohns disease.
Precautions
There are some important considerations a person should be aware of before taking this medication. These include:
This drugs brand name is Dipentum.
Precautions
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How Should I Take Balsalazide
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Balsalazide can be taken with or without food.
If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away. Medicine from the capsule may stain your teeth or tongue yellow/orange when mixed with food. Do not save the mixture for later use.
Balsalazide is usually taken only for a short time . Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Side Effects And Interactions
The more common side effects of biologics can include:
Biologic drugs may interact with other drugs and biologic agents, including:
- natalizumab , which can be used to treat Crohns disease or multiple sclerosis
- tocilizumab , anakinra , abatacept , which are primarily used to treat arthritis
- theophylline , an asthma medication
- live vaccines such as the varicella zoster vaccine
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How Long Does Sulfasalazine Stay In Your System
Oral sulfasalazine is mainly broken down in your intestines to the more active agent sulfapyridine. It takes 1.5 to 2 days to get sulfasalazine out of your system, and 2 to 3.5 days for sulfapyridine. Results can vary due to many factors, including your age, health, how fast you metabolize, and drug route and dose.
What Tea Is Good For Colitis
Teas high in antioxidants, such as green tea, may help reduce swelling and pain of the intestinal tissues. Colitis is often associated with an increase in substances, called reactive oxygen species , which easily react with oxygen and can damage tissues and worsen inflammation. Infections, ischemia , radiation, and inflammatory conditions all increase the amount of these substances. Antioxidants neutralize reactive oxygen species by reacting with them before they react with molecules in the bodys tissues, minimizing the damage they do. While reactive oxygen species do not cause colitis, they can make the condition more unpleasant.
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How To Use Sulfasalazine Suppositories
Sulfasalazine suppositories are used to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
You will generally use the suppositories twice a day, in the morning and at bedtime. Use them after you do a poo.
What Should I Tell My Doctor Before Taking Sulfasalazine
Before taking sulfasalazine you should tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have a history of recurring or chronic infections
- have underlying conditions or take other drugs which may make you more susceptible to infections
- have severe allergy or bronchial asthma
- have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
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Sulfa Vs Sulfite Allergy
Sulfa allergies and sulfite allergies arent the same thing. Sulfites occur naturally, or are used as a preservative agent in some foods and drinks. Sulfa medications and sulfites found in food and drink arent related to each other. The similarity between their names can cause some confusion. Read more about the difference between sulfa allergies and sulfite allergies.
Symptoms of sulfa allergy are similar to those of other drug allergies. Symptoms may include:
- skin rash or hives
- the drug sulfasalazine , used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohns disease, and ulcerative colitis
- the drug dapsone, used to treat dermatitis and some types of pneumonia
- the drug sumatriptan , used to treat migraines
- some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as celecoxib
- some diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide
What Foods Soothe Colitis
Colitis has many causes, so no food helps with all bouts of colitis. Foods that soothe ulcerative colitis, such as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids or meat, will make infectious colitis feel a lot worse, and patients with ischemic colitis need to stay away from fatty foods altogether. Consult with your doctor or a nutritionist about what diet is most suitable for your condition.
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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Sulfasalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis and also to maintain improvement of ulcerative colitis symptoms. Sulfasalazine delayed-release is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults whose disease has not responded well to other medications or could not be tolerated. Sulfasalazine delayed-release is also used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children who have not been helped by other medications. Sulfasalazine is in a class of medications called anti-inflammatory drugs. It works by reducing inflammation inside the body.
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Sulfasalazine comes as regular and delayed-release tablets. It usually is taken 3 to 6 times a day in evenly spaced doses throughout the day so that no more than 8 hours separates any two doses, if possible. For treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, sulfasalazine delayed-release tablets are usually taken twice a day in evenly spaced doses throughout the day. Take sulfasalazine after a meal or with a light snack, then drink a full glass of water. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sulfasalazine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow delayed-release tablets whole do not crush or chew them.
Drink plenty of fluids while taking sulfasalazine.
Continue to take sulfasalazine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sulfasalazine without talking to your doctor.
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What Do I Need To Know Before Taking Sulfasalazine
Before you start taking sulfasalazine, you will have a blood test to check your kidney function. Sulfasalazine is cleared from your body through your kidneys. If your kidneys arent working well, they wont be able to get rid of the medicine. This will increase your risk of side effects
You shouldnt take sulfasalazine if you are sensitive to sulfonamides or salicylates.
It is generally considered safe to take sulfasalazine whilst you are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, sulfasalazine can cause folate deficiency so you may need to take a daily folic acid supplement. Speak to your IBD team if you are hoping to become pregnant.
Sulfasalazine can affect male fertility by reducing sperm count. This usually resolves within a couple of months of stopping treatment. If you are trying for a baby, you may need to be switched to a different type of 5-ASA medicine.
You can drink alcohol in moderation whilst taking sulfasalazine, although it can sometimes aggravate nausea.
How Should I Take Azulfidine
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take Azulfidine after a meal.
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
You will need frequent medical tests.
Drink plenty of liquids to keep your kidneys working properly while you are taking Azulfidine.
Azulfidine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Azulfidine may cause your skin or urine to appear orange-yellow in color. Call your doctor if you also have yellowing of your eyes, brown urine, or stomach pain. These may be signs of liver problems.
If you are treating arthritis, do not stop using any of your other arthritis medicines until your doctor tells you to. Azulfidine may not improve your symptoms right away, and you may still need your other medicines for awhile.
Azulfidine is only part of a complete treatment for rheumatoid arthritis that may also include rest and physical therapy. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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Zeposia Was Also Studied For Safety
The safety of ZEPOSIA was evaluated among people in a clinical trial. Of those evaluated at 10 weeks , 94% remained on treatment and 3.3% stopped due to a side effect they experienced. Of those evaluated at 1 year , 80% remained on treatment and 1.3% stopped due to a side effect they experienced.
POSSIBLE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS
These are the serious side effects reported by people taking ZEPOSIA during the clinical trial.
- High blood pressure
These are not all of the side effects of ZEPOSIA. Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for information on all of the side effects reported by those taking ZEPOSIA.
How Should I Take Sulfazine
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take Sulfazine after a meal.
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
You will need frequent medical tests.
Drink plenty of liquids to keep your kidneys working properly while you are taking Sulfazine.
Sulfazine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Sulfazine may cause your skin or urine to appear orange-yellow in color. Call your doctor if you also have yellowing of your eyes, brown urine, or stomach pain. These may be signs of liver problems.
If you are treating arthritis, do not stop using any of your other arthritis medicines until your doctor tells you to. Sulfazine may not improve your symptoms right away, and you may still need your other medicines for awhile.
Sulfazine is only part of a complete treatment for rheumatoid arthritis that may also include rest and physical therapy. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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What Side Effects Could I Get While Taking Sulfasalazine
It is less likely you will have side effects with sulfasalazine than with other IBD medicines, and around eight in 10 people dont have any at all. If you experience any of these side effects, contact your IBD team straight away.
Common side effects include:
- A metallic taste in the mouth
- A mild allergic reaction, including a rash, itchiness or fever
- A skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- A change in blood cell production in the bone marrow, causing bleeding, bruising, sore throat and fever
Sulfasalazine is yellow/orange coloured, and you may notice your urine, tears and sweat develops a yellow tinge. This is nothing to worry about, but it can sometimes stain clothing and contact lenses.
Cautions With Other Medicines
There are some medicines that can affect the way sulfasalazine works.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking:
- digoxin, a medicine for heart problems
- medicines for high blood sugar or diabetes, such as metformin or glibenclamide
- methenamine, a specific antibiotic sometimes used for treating urinary tract infections
- folic acid, often taken in first 12 weeks of pregnancy, as it may be less well absorbed so you may need to take a higher dose than usual
- azathioprine or mercaptopurine, taken for rheumatoid arthritis or to prevent organ rejection after a transplant
- methotrexate which is usually used to treat rheumatoid arthritis
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How Should I Take Sulfasalazine
- Take sulfasalazine exactly as your doctor tells you to.
- Take tablets in evenly divided doses, preferably after meals.
- Take tablets with a full glass of water.
- Swallow delayed-release, enteric-coated tablets whole. Do not break, crush or chew.
- Your doctor will order frequent tests while you are on sulfasalazine.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Sulfasalazine
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction or a severe skin reaction .
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:
- fever, chills, sore throat
- mouth sores, red or swollen gums
- pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding or
- chest discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack, rapid weight loss.
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
- fever with headache, rash, and vomiting
- a skin rash, no matter how mild
- severe nausea or vomiting when you first start taking sulfasalazine
- little or no urination, urine that looks foamy
- puffy eyes, swelling in your ankles or feet, weight gain or
- liver problems –loss of appetite, stomach pain , dark urine, jaundice .
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite
- low sperm count in men.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Related Resources For Colitis
* Prescription savings vary by prescription and by pharmacy, and may reach up to 80% off cash price.
Pharmacy names, logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
The Zeposia 360 Support Program Can Help You Every Step Of The Way
Have questions about ZEPOSIA or starting treatment? With ZEPOSIA 360 Support, a UC Nurse Navigator is there to make sure you have all the answers you need when it comes to ZEPOSIA. A dedicated UC Nurse Navigator can also help with insurance benefits, financial support, and so much more, including determining if you’re eligible for the ZEPOSIA $0 co-pay offer.**
**Depending on insurance coverage, patients may be eligible to receive a prescription benefit offer for out-of-pocket drug costs and pay as little as $0 per prescription. Maximum savings limit applies patient out-of-pocket expenses may vary. This program is not health insurance. Offer not valid for patients enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state health care programs. Please for Program Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility Criteria.
WONDERING IF ZEPOSIA IS RIGHT FOR YOU? HERE ARE 3 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO GET STARTED:
- Connect with your healthcare provider. Here are some questions to get the conversation started.
- VisitZEPOSIA.com to learn more about ZEPOSIA and the ZEPOSIA 360 Support Program.
- Connect with a UC Nurse Navigator by calling 1-833-ZEPOSIA , Monday to Friday, 8AM – 8PM ET.
INDICATION
ZEPOSIA® is a prescription medicine used to treat moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults.It is not known if ZEPOSIA is safe and effective in children.
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