Azulfidine

Azulfidine

     * Generic Name: sulfasalazine delayed release tablets
     * Brand Name: Azulfidine EN-Tabs


     * What is sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs,
       Sulfazine)?
     * What are the possible side effects of sulfasalazine
       (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
     * How should I take sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine
       EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs,
       Sulfazine)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs,
       Sulfazine)?
     * What should I avoid while taking sulfasalazine (Azulfidine,
       Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
     * What other drugs will affect sulfasalazine (Azulfidine,
       Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?
     * Where can I get more information (Azulfidine, Azulfidine
       EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

What is sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

   Sulfasalazine affects a substance in the body that causes
   inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.

   Sulfasalazine is used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative
   colitis.

   Sulfasalazine is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in
   children and adults who have used other arthritis medicines without
   successful treatment of symptoms.

   Sulfasalazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this
   medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine
EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
   allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face,
   lips, tongue, or throat.

   Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with
   sulfasalazine. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away
   if you have signs of infection such as:
     * sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, cold or flu
       symptoms;
     * sore throat, cough, trouble breathing;
     * stabbing chest pain, cough with yellow or green mucus,
       wheezing;
     * pain when swallowing, painful mouth sores, red or swollen gums;
     * rapid heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, fainting;
     * skin sores, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or
     * jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

   Also call your doctor at once if you have:
     * severe nausea or vomiting when you first start taking
       sulfasalazine;
     * the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
     * signs of a kidney problem--little or no urinating; painful or
       difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling
       tired or short of breath; or
     * severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face
       or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or
       purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper
       body) and causes blistering and peeling.

   Common side effects may include:
     * nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite;
     * headache; or
     * low sperm count in men.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about sulfasalazine
(Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

   You should not use sulfasalazine if you have porphyria, a blockage
   in your bladder or intestines, or if you are allergic to sulfa
   drugs, aspirin, or similar medicines called salicylates.

   Azulfidine Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Ulcerative Colitis: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

   Ulcerative Colitis Slideshow Pictures
   Inflammatory Bowel Disease:A Visual Guide to IBD

   Inflammatory Bowel Disease Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Ulcerative Colitis Quiz

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sulfasalazine
(Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

   You should not use sulfasalazine if you are allergic to it, or if you
   have:
     * a blockage in your bladder or intestines;
     * porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting
       the skin or nervous system);
     * if you are allergic to sulfa drugs (such as Bactrim, SMX-TMP,
       SMZ-TMP, and others); or
     * if you are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Nuprin
       Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula,
       Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others).

   To make sure sulfasalazine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
   have:
     * liver disease;
     * kidney disease, or a history of kidney stones;
     * a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate
       dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;
     * a blood cell disorder;
     * weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain
       medicine);
     * heart disease;
     * asthma; or
     * history of chronic infections.

   FDA pregnancy category B. Sulfasalazine is not expected to harm an
   unborn baby. However, you may need to take folic acid supplements
   if you take sulfasalazine during pregnancy. Follow your doctor's
   instructions. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
   pregnant during treatment.

   Sulfasalazine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
   Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

   Sulfasalazine should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old.

How should I take sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Sulfasalazine can weaken your immune system. Your blood may need to be
   tested often.

   This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests.
   Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using sulfasalazine.

   Take this medicine after a meal.

   Do not crush, chew, or break an enteric coated pill. Swallow it whole.
   The pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the
   pill will damage this coating.

   For best results, keep using this medicine as directed. Sulfasalazine
   will not cure ulcerative colitis, but it can reduce the number of
   attacks you have.

   If you are treating arthritis, do not stop using any of your other
   arthritis medicines until your doctor tells you to. Your symptoms may
   not improve right away when you start taking sulfasalazine, and you may
   still need your other medicines for awhile.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Azulfidine Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Ulcerative Colitis: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

   Ulcerative Colitis Slideshow Pictures
   Inflammatory Bowel Disease:A Visual Guide to IBD

   Inflammatory Bowel Disease Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Ulcerative Colitis Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine
EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

   Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food,
   beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs,
Sulfazine)?

   Other drugs may interact with sulfasalazine, including prescription and
   over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of
   your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any
   medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, Sulfazine)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about sulfasalazine.
     __________________________________________________________________

   Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
   children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
   medication only for the indication prescribed.
   Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
   Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
   but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
   herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
   use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
   therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
   States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
   Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
   recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
   resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
   for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
   supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
   knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
   warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
   construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
   effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
   any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
   aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
   not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
   warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
   you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
   doctor, nurse or pharmacist.