Azulfidine

[Julieladix]

Hello. Just wondering if anyone has taken azulfidine for their rheumatoid arthritis, and if it's helped at all. Any unusual side effects?

[Lucy11]

Hi Julie,

In the U.K. it's better known as Sulfasalazine. If you change the heading you may get more replies. You can also do a search for Sulfasalazine on this site.

I can't help you with it as I've never used it myself but there are loads of people here on it. From what I understand it's not a particularly strong DMARD and often isn't used alone but rather in conjunction with MTX and Planquenil.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Julie. As Lucy (above) says here it's known better by it's generic name sulfasalazine, we tend to use them over brand names as they differ from country to country.

I try not to write negatively about meds, particularly when a med is being considered, but SSZ didn't cut it for me I'm afraid. It was my third DMARD & generally I'm tolerant of meds but this defeated me, though I did give it a good go. It does work for many though so don't let my experience of it influence you. It caused such a low mood & nausea (even with an antiemetic) that it was stopped & now I'm on methotrexate (which I'd been on the 8 years previously) & leflunomide (since last November).

I hope it helps you, though there are others if it doesn't so don't worry.

[Julieladix in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you Lucy and nomoreheels. I haven't started the sulfasalazine yet. My doctor wants me to add a dmard to the orencia. I don't really want to go on methotrexate because then I can no longer enjoy a glass of wine. My doctor is very strict when it comes to having any alcohol at all when on methotrexate. I'm nervous about adding the sulfasalazine, or shall I say the side effects. The orencia seems to finally be starting to work. It's very subtle, but I'm noticing a difference.

[nomoreheels in reply to Julieladix]

I don't drink so it's not an issue for me though anything above 17.5 mg (subcut) & my liver has a benny so it's just as well! Your Rheumy probably explained it is generally the preferred DMARD when used in combination with Orencia (abatacept) & other biologics as it's considered to be more effective but if you like a drink then it's understandable why you chose SSZ. I hope it helps.