Sulfasalazine timing

[simba91]

Will having sulfasalazine for my RA be better managed when having it at the same time everyday? At the moment I have it whenever I have my two meals in the day - so can be lunch and dinner.. or breakfast at dinner..I don't really feel the need to have more than two meals a day as have fruit and snacks for the meals I miss. I get a log of headaches with sulfasalazine

[Stayloose]

My OH had early morning headaches initially but then they settled. Most meds suggest taking with or after.food at regular intervals. I reckon check with pharmacist.

[Mmrr]

Good morning, yes you would be better taking the SSZ at the same time each day, at regular intervals throughout the day. Taking the tabs too close together or too far apart means the blood concentration of the drugs is going up and down. If you are taking the tabs too close together, it could be contributing to your headaches. Remember to stay well hydrated too.

[Witsend8]

My doses of this changes so i take mine am and pm. Started on 2,then 3,then 4,now down to 3 agsin so do 2am amd one pm. I take lots other medication so just lump it all together and take it together. Side effects for me lessened or i got used to them, but still on it and also now on tocilizumab as well. Just drink plenty of liquid if you are able. Good luck xx

[Pinkypie2018]

I'm similar to you I just take it whenever I eat, sometimes early morning and others near lunchtime and I take my evening dose after dinner. My appetite doesn't be best so I only eat 2 meals a day also. However I always make sure there's at least a six hour gap between taking them.

[mjrminor]

I take mine with breakfast and dinner and try to keep those at the same time every day. I got a lot of headaches at first but they did go away after a while. Like someone mentioned it's important to stay hydrated and it's recommended to drink a full glass of water with every dose. Sulfa gives me a really dry mouth but it can also cause kidney stones if you're not drinking enough water, hence the full glass each time you take it.

[nomoreheels]

How did your Rheumy say to take them? The recommended administration is as follows

Week one: 500mg orally in the morning. If tolerated:

Week two: 500mg orally twice daily

Week three: 1g orally in the morning, 500mg in the evening Week four onwards: 1g orally twice daily.

Further increase to maximum 1g orally three times daily if indicated

As I say this is only a recommendation but may help. The best person to ask is your Rheumy, he may have preferred way of treating you.

[Hodc]

I took my sulpha with my breakfast and dinner, so roughly the same time each day, and don't remember many side effects. Was on it for quite a few years, but was taken off it, as supposed to be starting amgevita. However, repeated chest infections means I've not started, and was also taken off mxt too, in case it was causing the cough. Am waiting to see respiratory at the end of the month. But being off everything except steroids, means I'm quite sore.

Do drink plenty with those tablet. All day.

[Lizzy-m]

I've just been prescribed this medication so am keen to hear others experiences. I know we are all different but I'm really hoping this new drug alongside the methotrexate I'm already on makes a difference. I'm struggling to get the inflammation under control. I hope it works out ok for you x

[Hidden in reply to Lizzy-m]

This wasn’t the drug for me. Within an hour of first dose I got a headache, nausea dizziness. After 6 days had to call an ambulance severe allergic reaction 🥺but this is me i wasn’t expecting any problems.... hopefully you will be successful as many are

[Lizzy-m in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the heads up. I have been warned that I could have side effects during the early days, exactly as you have described. I'm so sorry it's not worked out for you I do hope they have offered you an alternative. X

[Hidden in reply to Lizzy-m]

I’m on a biologic and it’s working 😁👍

[Lizzy-m in reply to Hidden]

🙏🙏🙏😃

[Tompark]

I’m on sulfasalazine 4th week and it’s starting to work now