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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Stomach Sickness After Started Taking Sulfasalazine?

I have been taking sulfasalazine for about 4 days and have felt sick (stomach) ever since. I have diverticulitis and colitis and have taken Asacol for 25 years. Recent change to this new med is due to costs and recent changes becuse of costs associated with Asacol. Note: no negative side effects in the bowel area.
Wed, 4 Jan 2017
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.

I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

I think your fear of Sulfasalazine is justified. It is hard to say for sure if stomach sickness is due to sulfasalazine however the timing points out towards sulfasalazine is the culprit. Sulfasalazine has the nonactive sulfapyridine group which has antibacterial activity and most of the side effects of sulfasalazine is due to sulphapyridine moeity.

The reason Asacol is safer is because it is deprived of sulfapyridine moeity. I think you should go back on Asacol for your Ulcerative Colitis and if you feel comfortable with it, please try not to switch around.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Muhammad Gul
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What Causes Stomach Sickness After Started Taking Sulfasalazine?

Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. I think your fear of Sulfasalazine is justified. It is hard to say for sure if stomach sickness is due to sulfasalazine however the timing points out towards sulfasalazine is the culprit. Sulfasalazine has the nonactive sulfapyridine group which has antibacterial activity and most of the side effects of sulfasalazine is due to sulphapyridine moeity. The reason Asacol is safer is because it is deprived of sulfapyridine moeity. I think you should go back on Asacol for your Ulcerative Colitis and if you feel comfortable with it, please try not to switch around. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Muhammad Gul