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Can Sulfasalazine Cause Any Severe Side-effects?

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Posted on Mon, 16 Oct 2017
Question: Are there always violent side effect to Sulfasalazine.
Can I find out if there is something wrong with this medicine.
I've always used Delzacol for my Ulcerate Colitis. Dr changed me because of the cost.
any other ideas for a less violent side effect
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Just monitoring liver functions and blood count is necessary.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear patient,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concerns.

Patients who receive sulfasalazine should have complete blood count and liver function tests before starting treatment and every 1 to 2 weeks during the first 3 months of therapy and then every 2 to 4 weeks during the second 3 months of therapy, then every 3 months once a regular dose is achieved.
In some patients it can severely hamper liver functions while in some it has been seen to cause bone marrow depression when used in long terms.Therefore blood tests should be done regularly as advice earlier.

Some common warnings to look for are-

Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin
Red or irritated eyes
Sores in your mouth, throat, eyes, or nose.

Apart from that there can be a number of regualar side effects also but those side effect are often suppressed after 2-3 weeks of use.

As of now its a very frequently used medicine in many developing nations and has been used in patients for many years with great effect and minimal side effects.

Dizziness vertigo etc are there for few weeks and would go away soon.

In case you need more details revert back.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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Can Sulfasalazine Cause Any Severe Side-effects?

Brief Answer: Just monitoring liver functions and blood count is necessary. Detailed Answer: Hello Dear patient, Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query. Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concerns. Patients who receive sulfasalazine should have complete blood count and liver function tests before starting treatment and every 1 to 2 weeks during the first 3 months of therapy and then every 2 to 4 weeks during the second 3 months of therapy, then every 3 months once a regular dose is achieved. In some patients it can severely hamper liver functions while in some it has been seen to cause bone marrow depression when used in long terms.Therefore blood tests should be done regularly as advice earlier. Some common warnings to look for are- Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin Red or irritated eyes Sores in your mouth, throat, eyes, or nose. Apart from that there can be a number of regualar side effects also but those side effect are often suppressed after 2-3 weeks of use. As of now its a very frequently used medicine in many developing nations and has been used in patients for many years with great effect and minimal side effects. Dizziness vertigo etc are there for few weeks and would go away soon. In case you need more details revert back. Regards.