RA

[Gitaga]

Hi

Just curious.  Anyone on Salazopyrin for RA.  Just worried about side effects.  

[Braecoon]

All drugs have side effects even common paracetamol. Everybody responds differently, some people have no side effects, some have mild effects and some have bothersome effects. It is very much trial and error to find the right drug that will work with you to control your rheumatoid symptoms with minimal side effects, therefore you have to start somewhere. Some people do better on a combination of drugs to gain control of symptoms and to have some quality of life. 

Some common side effects only last a few weeks and as your body adapts to the drug the side effects diminish. You will be closely monitored by Rheumy team in the early stages of taking a drug but you have to give it at least 3 months to see if mild common side effects will settle down. Keeping a daily diary of your symptoms, side effects and how you are feeling is a good idea and helpful for the Rheumy team so that you can discuss your progress and options. 

Please remember there is a skewed bias of people experiencing medication problems on this site, as people only tend to post when they are having problems and those that tend to do well on their meds don't tend to post as often.

You did not mention whether you are newly diagnosed and whether this will be your first DMARD medication. If yes, then welcome to the forum and you are with a fine bunch of likeminded people who truly understand want you are going through and are extremely supportive.

[sylvi]

I am on it and i don't get any side effects.xxx

[Gitaga in reply to sylvi]

Thanks. I have developed a very accelerated heart rate and poor kidney function recently(efr 54 -59). Just wondering if it is related in any way. 

[sylvi in reply to Gitaga]

Its hard to say as each drug works differently on different people.  I suggest you speak to your dr about it.xxxxxx

[Braecoon in reply to Gitaga]

You need to talk to your Rheumy team as soon as possible about this and have this investigated. 

[Vickywb]

I have no side effects either. With methotrexate side effects were awful. Am currently taking salzopyrin with Simponi.  Good luck!

[barbieg]

Salazopyrin is Sulfasalazine. I noticed when I picked my prescription up a couple of months ago it had suddenly changed to Salazopyrin. I presumed it was cheaper for my surgery, but oddly I have suddenly developed the sneezes, all day long. Definitely not a cold, so beginning to wonder about them.

[nomoreheels in reply to barbieg]

Are you prescribed enteric coated SSZ Barbieg? If you are that might explain why you've been given the branded one & not generic because it's cheaper for some reason, seems unusual but there you are. With non coated there's only about £1 difference for 112 tablets in branded & generic but with enteric coated branded SSZ Salazopyrin it's quite a bit cheaper than generic. Even though we're told that the original licensed drug (branded) has exactly the same ingredients, fillers etc, I'm not so sure but maybe there's something you're slightly allergic to in the branded version? I'd certainly mention it at your next appointment & request you're only prescribed the generic if you think your sneezes are connected to the change.

[barbieg in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks for your reply, and yes, I was prescribed enteric coated sulfasalazine, so I can see why I have been changed to the cheaper branded ones. It drives me mad as they are always changing one or other of my medicines. A worry when they are suddenly a different colour. I put my sneezes down to the paint smell when my hubby was decorating, but it's carried on for a few weeks now and thinking about it , it was roundabout the same time as the change in my pills. I will keep it in mind, and if it carries on I will have a word with my Dr. Thank you for your explanation.

[nomoreheels in reply to barbieg]

In the same vein a few months ago my co-codamol, which are usually capsule shaped, biconvex & enteric coated generic ones, were supplied as rather large, round & not enteric coated (though not as large as dispersible which I did wonder!), I had trouble swallowing them so I took them back & they were changed for my usual. My Pharmacist has made a note on my records which is flagged up on the screen when dispensing my scripts, I'd ask if yours will do the same for your SSZ if you have your scripts filled at the same chemists each time.

[barbieg in reply to nomoreheels]

My scripts come from my surgery. It's a dispensing surgery, but I don't think I'd have a problem going back to my Sulfasalazine. My GP is ok . Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hiya, I've been on Sufasalazine for 6 months and felt 'woolly' and 'not right' so now changed to Luflonomide and so far after 6 weeks feeling so much lighter... Although everyone is different & you have to try something before you know if you will live with it well it not. 

Whatever you do do not  forget your monitoring and the Rhumy care nurses are there to speak to if you ever have any questions.. 

Good luck! 

[gwynedd]

Hi there,

I've been on it for nearly 4 months, week 4 had a bit of a dodgy tummy  but since then everything has been fine. My bloods have all come back ok and my RA symptoms have diminished, not completely gone but at least I can drive the car and have an active life again 😁 .  I was worried as well but as Braecoon says there's a lot of negativity about it out there, probably due to people like me not reporting is benefits.

[Gitaga in reply to gwynedd]

Thank you.  That's great to hear.  I have also seen a great improvement ever since I went on it. Maybe my symptoms are unrelated.  Will follow up with the rheumatologist during my next visit.