Salazopyrin

[Stephanie_munden1]

Hi advice on Salazopyrin

I've been taking Salazopyrin for some months with regular blood tests. Inflammatory arthritis and colitis. All was going well until I received a phone call to say stop taking them because my last blood test showed a problem with red blood count. I've googled excessively until I've frightened the wits out of myself. Would really appreciate any advice or experience with this problem as I can fall into health anxiety so easily. I'm usually quite a jolly person and I'm not sure why this happens to me!

[12345Marie]

Hi Stephanie. Sorry. I wish I had info to offer, but I didn't know that salazopyrin (aka sulfasalazine) even affected RBC count. I have rheumatoid and have been taking sulfasalazine for 30+ years but it has never affected my rbc count. ... Did your dr suggest a different medication to take?

[Darciedoodles in reply to 12345Marie]

Hi Marie

I was taken off methotrexate 9 wks ago I’m due to see rheumatologist on I 3/12 but have had major flare ups in wrists and hands - they were going to prescribe me Leflunomide but after I read about it I asked not to go on it. Now they said salazopyrin but the side effects seem even worse and I’m nervous not many good things said about it on here so I’m confused and worried but need some new medication quickly. I’ve had 20mg of prednisone and last week had injection in my bottom but hands and wrists still in agony

Did you have any side effects ? Hair loss was bad on methotrexate and blood platelets dropped 3 mths in a row developed really bad cough and vest infections

Thanks

[12345Marie in reply to Darciedoodles]

Hi Darcie. Keep in mind that any drug will have several 'possible' side effects. Have you ever looked up possible side effects for coffee? They include chest pain. 🤷‍♀️ or side effects from ASA? They include confusion and convulsions............... But I would definitely consider going on leflunomide if my meds quit working. I've been on methotrexate for about 10 years, sulfasalazine (salazopyrin) for about 30 years, hydroxychloroquin for about 10 or15, and, of course, an anti-inflammatory for 35 years. I go for blood work every three months and occasionally the odd thing is out-of-range, but overall, things have been going well for decades now. I keep copies of them all in a big binder. ...... I've had a bit of hair loss with the meth, but honestly, it has helped me so so much that I hope I can stay on it forever...

[MWZ3]

Is it possibly interacting with something else you’re taking. Do you have EN after the name? You need more information and double check what’s been said. I’ve taken it for 17 years for Crohns and it works. I have the EN as makes swallowing easier and is kinder to your stomach. How much do you take? Are you on warfarin?