Sulfasalazine used with a biologic?

[HockeyNut]

Does anyone use or have knowledge of sulfasalazine taken together with a biologic? My RA doc, pharmacist and i are looking at my taking sulfa with Cimzia. Sulfa on its own has worked best for me, while methotrexate has had no effect. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[paulogribiz]

Humira, hydroxy, methotraxate and sulpasalazine all last year.

Taken off the hydroxy this year and Imraldi instead of Humira but still on rest of it.

Still get swelling, tiredness and soreness quite often but mostly improved and attending full time work 90% of the time.

[HockeyNut in reply to paulogribiz]

so you're on all those at the same time? Wow! OK, so maybe I need to be taking Methotrexate in conjunction with the Sulfa and Cimzia. Thank you!

[bpeal1 in reply to HockeyNut]

I took Cimzia for a while (unfortunately didn’t work for me so moved to a different biologic). I had tried methotrexate before starting Cimzia and had really bad side effects and not much benefit from it, therefore I took Sulphasalazine and Leflunomide with it.

[AgedCrone]

Listen to your medical team....what works for others may not work for you.

[Hidden in reply to AgedCrone]

Totally agree with, work with the medical team

[sunnyweek]

Yes I take sulphasalazine (4 a day) with a biologic. It seems methotrexate is the more common one, but it doesn't suit everybody.

[HockeyNut in reply to sunnyweek]

Thanks so much sunnyweek; that's a big help to know.

[Biofreak]

Yes I take sulpha with Abatacept( Orencia) . Can't tolerate methotrexate. Mostly well controlled at the moment.

[HockeyNut in reply to Biofreak]

Thanks, Biofreak.

[Hidden]

Have been on methotrexate for 3 years doing ok with intermittent flares until Christmas out of control since. Due to start sulfascazine and etanercept along side methotrexate in September 🤞

[HockeyNut in reply to Hidden]

Thanks J1707, do let me know how it turns out.

[Hidden in reply to HockeyNut]

Will do

[NicolaP]

I took Sulpha with Simponi (Gulimumab) for just over 3.5 years but have just been switched to Humira and am continuing (at least for now) with Sulpha with it. Had to wait 9 weeks for the switch which became a nightmare but after 1st injection last Sunday things improved for several days but not so good now. Hoping after 2nd injection next Sunday it will start improving again. Simponi just stopped working properly, although perhaps not entirely since it was only about 6 weeks after last injection that things got much much worse so it was working a little just not enough to do any good in the last months of use.

[HockeyNut in reply to NicolaP]

Thanks, NicolaP!

[Brikel]

I take Sulfasalazine with Benepali

It works for me

Brian

[HockeyNut in reply to Brikel]

Sulfa definitely seems to be my friend and I feel better having added it back into my mix a few days ago. Thanks!

[Fra22-57]

Sulfasalazine prednisolone hydroxychloroquine pregabalin and Abatacept.Tried 3 other biologics and Abatacept best

[HockeyNut in reply to Fra22-57]

Thanks, Fra!

[Moomin8]

Yes, me!I have sulfasalazine, mtx and Cimzia.

[HockeyNut in reply to Moomin8]

And how is it working for you, Moomin8?

[Moomin8 in reply to HockeyNut]

Morning 🙂Seems to be ok 🤪I am able to lead a 'normal' life: I work, walk, drive, garden, see friends and holiday etc. My hips slow me down somewhat, but I take paracetamol and anti-inflammatories to keep the edge off that pain. I try to exercise every morning to stretch my limbs and keep as supple as I can. Sometimes my bloods dictate that my mtx is reduced because my neutrophils dip too low...but hey ho- I am generally not too bad.

[HockeyNut in reply to Moomin8]

Thanks for that!

[stbernhard]

At one time it was MTX, Sulfasalazine and CIMZIA together. No problems at all. I hope you won't have any either. Good luck.

[HockeyNut in reply to stbernhard]

Thanks, Stbernhard! So far, now that I've added the Sulpha back in the mix, I'm starting to feel better.

[rawillbebeaten]

Yes, like others I've been on sulfasalazine since 2002, other drugs have come and gone but that & Prednisolone have stayed the same. Was on Enbrel now on Imraldi via Leflunomide, Rituximab and Humira. This is a completely individual condition and you and you RA team need to decide what is best for you. Wishing you all the very best and that you find the right combination for you

[HockeyNut in reply to rawillbebeaten]

Thankyou!

[Iluvgardening]

I have taking Sulfasalazine for years along with a biologic, at present time I am on Orencia infusions, but I have taken Cimzia injections in the past too. When I first started Sulfasalazine it caused headaches, but they were tolerable and did not last long ,other than that I haven't had any side effects. My daughter could not take it because her headaches were severe while on it. I hope it helps bring you relief.

[HockeyNut in reply to Iluvgardening]

Yes, I've had very good luck with Sulpha, and have started to feel better, having added it to the Cimzia and Methotrexate. Thankyou!

[Creakywrists]

I am currently on Benepali and Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine, though I’m reducing Sulfasalazine very slowly. Last reduction from 2 to 1 tablet a day not gone well as my hands and knees are swelling a bit and are quite painful again. I’m waiting to make sure it’s not a flare (I know I’ve been doing too much!) and also to get latest blood results before I call the nurse for advice. Hope it goes well for you.

[HockeyNut in reply to Creakywrists]

Thanks, Creakywrists; Sulpha has always worked really well for me, and I'm seeing some relief now that I've added it to the mix of Cimzia and Methotrexate which didn't seem to be doing anything at all!