This article describes possible side effects of sulfasalazine oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about sulfasalazine, including the drug’s uses, dosages, and more.
Sulfasalazine oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Azulfidine. Sulfasalazine also comes in a delayed-release oral tablet, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of sulfasalazine oral tablet include:
- loss of appetite
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach discomfort
Mild side effects of sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects reported with sulfasalazine oral tablet include:
* An allergic reaction is possible with sulfasalazine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sulfasalazine in detail” section below.
Sulfasalazine oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from sulfasalazine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with sulfasalazine.
Serious side effects reported with sulfasalazine oral tablet include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sulfasalazine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with sulfasalazine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
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Common questions about side effects of sulfasalazine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of sulfasalazine oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can sulfasalazine cause cancer?
Cancer isn’t a known side effect of sulfasalazine. It wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
There are other medications used to treat ulcerative colitis that are known to increase the risk of developing certain cancers. If you’re concerned about this risk while having treatment for ulcerative colitis, talk with your doctor.
Does sulfasalazine cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, sulfasalazine oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can last for a while after you have stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with sulfasalazine oral tablet include:
- kidney problems
- liver damage
- blood disorders*
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of sulfasalazine may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sulfasalazine in detail” section below.
Will side effects of sulfasalazine go away?
In most cases, yes. Mild side effects of sulfasalazine are usually temporary and go away in a few days or weeks. But sulfasalazine may cause certain long-term side effects, including kidney or liver problems and blood disorders. These side effects can last for a while after you stop taking the drug.
If you have concerns about this, talk with your doctor.
Side effects of sulfasalazine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of sulfasalazine oral tablet.
Low sperm count
Males who take sulfasalazine can develop oligospermia (low sperm count) and infertility (inability to conceive). However, this side effect typically goes away once you stop sulfasalazine treatment.
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about low sperm count, tell your doctor. They can discuss different medications for your condition.
Serious blood disorders
In studies, serious blood disorders occurred in people taking sulfasalazine oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
Examples of blood disorders that occurred include:
These blood disorders can increase your risk of infections and unusual bleeding. They may also make you feel dizzy, tired, or weak. Other symptoms may include:
- sore throat
- fever
- pale skin color
- red or purple spots on your skin
- jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes)
Ways to manage
Due to this risk, your doctor will likely order blood tests regularly while you take sulfasalazine.
If you experience symptoms of blood disorders, tell your doctor. They’ll likely order blood tests to check your blood cell levels. They may also have you stop taking sulfasalazine.
Serious skin reactions
In studies, serious skin reactions occurred in people taking sulfasalazine oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
Examples of serious skin reactions that may occur include:
Symptoms may include:
- fever
- flu-like symptoms
- peeling skin
- blisters on skin, eyes, or mouth
- severe rash
- burning skin
The risk of serious skin reactions is highest early on during treatment. In some cases, these reactions can be life threatening.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of a serious skin reaction, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend that you stop taking sulfasalazine. Your skin reaction may also require treatment.
For some people, sulfasalazine oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to sulfasalazine oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for sulfasalazine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking sulfasalazine oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take sulfasalazine oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether sulfasalazine oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking sulfasalazine oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Sulfasalazine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether sulfasalazine oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Sulfasalazine and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether sulfasalazine oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Sulfasalazine oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
But consuming alcohol while taking sulfasalazine can increase your risk of certain side effects. These may include liver problems, headache, and nausea.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with sulfasalazine oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of sulfasalazine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Can sulfasalazine cause infertility in females?
- How do the side effects of sulfasalazine compare with other drugs used for my condition?
- Is the risk of liver damage highest when I first start the treatment?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
