sulfalasine??

suzygirl
suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
edited 22. Feb 2011, 12:57 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, I would be interested to know any experiences with this med. Particuarly anyone with a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis. Side effects, success?? Good or bad, I would love to hear.

Thanks

Comments

  • Rashine
    Rashine Member Posts: 33
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I didn't really have any side effects, beyond dry eys (although I may have suffered from them anyway)

    I think there are a few potential long term side effects, but then there are with just having Arthur! And long term is fairly long term, like decades.
  • caterina57
    caterina57 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry I have no eperience of this particular medication, but, hope that it does some good for you and that you dont have any side effect.
    Good Luck
    Cath
  • williamlargs
    williamlargs Member Posts: 143
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I used sulphasalazine between 2003 and approx 2006 and it worked very well for my RA at the time. Now on MTX with similar success.

    Only thing I remember about sulph was having a sore head the day after I started on it but that was all, apart of course from orange pee!! :grin:
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks guys, that is reassuring. I was all geared up to start methotrexate, when it appears they have changed their minds and decided to go with sulfa due to my liver probs.

    Anyway, appt is tomorrow, will see what happens.
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Suzy,

    I took sulphsalzine for years with no side effects at all until for some reason I developed a rash so they stopped it. I did take it everyday in a small dose, not like the way they administer it today so I don't know if my reply helps.

    Good luck with it. :grin:
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Suzygirl

    I took Sulphasalazine for many years with no probs once I got used to it. I had horrible headaches and nausea for the first few weeks but once I got used to the full dose I was fine. I cant report back on whether it helped the RA or not though, because for most of the time I was taking it alongside other meds.

    Really good luck with it. Hope it helps you.

    Love Tilly xxx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've been on it since 2002. I think it helps to keep the P bit of my PA at bay, it has done little for the arthritis (but then PA isn't RA). I remember starting it in February 20002 and thinking it was going to sort everything out, once and for all. :roll: Initially I had severe bruising on it, but that disappeared after a couple of months. It will change the colour of your urine (make sure that when you have to give a sample the nurse knows you are on it, it spares lectures about drinking more water etc) and I do have tinnitus as a side effect. I wish you well, I hope it is an effective treatment for you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Its good to see that it has a good track record for people. I was worried it was a 'soft' option compared to methotrexate. I feel more positive about starting this med now.

    Thanks all.

    Daisy, tinnitus, must be an awful side effect. :sad:
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    just wishing good luck with tomorrows app.
    hope the sulphasalazine works for you
    juliepf x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 16. Feb 2011, 15:20
    It is (the tinnitus, that is). One adjusts. I think I had fairly regular blood tests when I was on it, I am trying hard to remember. I will let you know if I do! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • psyart
    psyart Member Posts: 600
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi ~ i'm on sulfalasine after having to come off methx due to horrid side effects :!: I have to say that after suffering from the odd horrid headache ~ which I got rid of by drinking lots water ~ i have no side effects other than yellow wee :wink: But you must drink a good half pint of juice when taking it ~ keeps the headaches away :!:

    good luck with it ~ hope it helps you

    louise xx
    e050.gifo050.gif
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Strictly speaking sulph should be taken with water, due to the enteric coating. Still, we do what we have to! I still cannot remember about the blood tests, sorry. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Rashine
    Rashine Member Posts: 33
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes I had fairly regular blood tests too, to begin with.
    I think fortnightly until the dose had been stablised and to check that there were no issues then it dropped to monthly then ever three months I think, before the protocol became once or twice a year.
    I haven't taken it for a couple of years now so of course I've blanked it all from my memory!!

    But like I say I didn't have any issues, no headaches or anything. And I think I took it with juice too as I just can't down too much water at once!
  • need me bed
    need me bed Member Posts: 103
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ello Pet,

    I take the Sulph, been on it since about 2007 or 08 i think. I had all the blood tests, fortnightly, monthly until up to full dose takes about 3 months before you'll notice any difference. Don't think I had any side effects with it other then the weird colour wee.... which i hasten to add no-one warned me about...

    Hope it works as well for you as it has been for me, but everyone is different

    Take care gentle hugs

    NMB
    xx
    f055.gif

    There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast.
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks, saw rheumy nurse this morning and she has given me the sulfalalasine, one tablet daily to start with, working up to 4 tabs a day. Fortnightly bloods to start with.

    Should I take the first dose morning or evening?? With food?? Also I have a cold at the moment, should I wait till it has gone to start?? Forgot to ask the nurse, about this. Oops!! :oops:
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Wait until the cold has gone, then start with an evening dose, one tablet with food for one week. Then add in the morning tablet, so you have two day, for a week. When the time comes to step up to three, do one in the morning then two at night, for one week, then move to two in the morning, two at night. I was reading the leaflet that comes with my tablets earlier and that is what it says! I'm off for Midsomer Murders. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Daisy :grin:
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Check your leaflet/label too, please, I am not a doc! My label also says that blood test will take place, which means I must have had mine done so ensure you keep up to date with those. They are a pest, a pain and a nuisance but they are an important pest, pain and nuisance. These are strong drugs, never forget that. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • claire1986
    claire1986 Member Posts: 23
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey, i have seronegative inflammatory arthritis - possibly lol. I take sulphasalazine and its fine for me. Initial side effects at begining but they soon go! Routine blood tests too and yeah the yellow pee is the worst i agree. But seems to agree with me and im starting to increase the dose now as rheumy has requested. x
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Claire, hope they work for you!!