Sulfasalazine belongs to a class of medications known as aminosalicylates. This group of medicines is particularly skilled at reducing redness and swelling (inflammation) in the body. When inflammation is dampened, it often leads to symptom relief and a better overall sense of well-being.
But sulfasalazine’s benefits don’t stop there. It has another unique feature—its ability to break down into sulfapyridine and 5-ASA in the intestine. This allows it to target inflammation not only in the gut but also in other parts of the body.
It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Sulfasalazine helps to control the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation, pain, and damage.
- Ulcerative Colitis: Sulfasalazine helps reduce the inflammation and symptoms of this condition, which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the intestine.
- Crohn’s Disease: This chronic condition can affect any part of the digestive tract, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and malnutrition. Sulfasalazine is used to target inflammation in the intestines, helping to reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
Common Side Effects - more than 1 in 100 people
Like with taking any medication, you may experience unwanted side effects when using sulfasalazine to treat your condition. These are usually mild and tend to go away by themselves, though it’s important that you consult with your GP or pharmacist if they continue to bother you.
These side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
For more information on the common and serve side effects of sulfasalazine, please visit the official NHS website.
Order Your Prescription Online with Healthera
If you’ve been prescribed sulfasalazine to treat your condition, you can palace your order online from your local pharmacy with Healthera.
It only takes a few minutes to set up your prescription for collection or home delivery.
To get started, simply click the button below: