Sulfa

[sammie83]

Been taking it for about a month now, take 2 in the morning 2 in the evening, which i started doing last Thurs but the past couple of days i get a burning/acid sensation in my stomach, worse at night.

Has anyone else suffered with this? Its very uncomfortable. Tried ringing the clinic but can not get through, managed to get a doctors appt at me GPs this afternoon though

Thanks

[Hidden]

hi sammie83,

I have posted a link to the patient information about sulfasalazine for you. Amongst the listed side effects are indigestion and heartburn. It is always best to check with a HCP though if you do exhibit side effects from the drugs you are taking to be safe:

medicines.org.uk/emc/medici...

Hope this helps

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[sammie83 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much. Glad i managed to get a docs appt.

[Hidden in reply to sammie83]

hope all goes well

Beverley

[sandybrown in reply to Hidden]

How does this medication works?

[Hidden in reply to sandybrown]

Hi bala,

Sulfasalazine is what is known as a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD).They work by damping down the over activity of the immune system. I have put a link to our article about DMARDs for you:

nras.org.uk/getting-establi...

Hope this helps

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[Hidden]

Hi Sammie83

I am taking Sulfasalazine and have to take a stomach protector as well, I was prescribed Omeprazole. This has really helped me as I was also getting terrible acid reflux particularly when I went to bed. I had to build up gradually to 6 tablets per day but have found that I can't tolerate more than 4 as I feel really sick and get terrible migraine type headaches. I have gone back down to three per day and have an appointment on Thursday with the Rheumy Specialist Nurse. She did say when I spoke to her recently that she may change or add in something else as my inflammation is not controlled enough and I have a particularly painful knee and shoulder at present. I am hoping that she can drain fluid off my knee as I think that is what's needed for my knee, I have had this done before, not pleasant, but the relief after a day or so is amazing. The Consultant did this the last time, I'm not sure if the nurse can do it herself, i really hope she can.

I have been on Sulfasalazine since November 2014 so still early days for me.

I hope you get on well with this drug and get some relief, you will most likely be given a stomach protector too.

Best wishes.

[sheltielife]

Try taking them about halfway through a meal. I had awful trouble with wind mostly and somebody said to try this and it worked for me. Plus I was already on Omeprazole so maybe that helped as well.

[sammie83]

Thank you for all the responses and advice, really appreciate it.

The doctor has prescribed me lansoprazole, so hopefully i'll be feeling a little bit more comfortable in the next couple of days. Thanks again and take care.

[keffi]

Yes I also had this problem when starting on course of 4 Sulfa a day I Then started spacing them through a period of 24 hours. This meant one every 6 hours. Worked well though as taking Humira also, nurse said drop to three a day but well spaced. Do you take Omeprazole daily too. This should help with problem.